Julie Payette was an unconventional but correct choice as governor general
Recent reports from a CBC journalist citing anonymous and RCMP sources of difficult staff relations within Rideau Hall, inconvenient travel logistics and prospective renovations planned for Rideau Hall are reminiscent of some of the criticisms of other governors general.
Subsequently, CBC journalist Aaron Wherry (not the journalist who broke the staff relations story), provided a helpful and balanced review of criticisms levelled at other governors general over the years — claims relating to alleged spending excesses (usually trips GGs were asked to undertake by the government), decisions regarding Rideau Hall grounds, alleged political leanings of the vice-regal’s spouse, and so on.
Not surprisingly, his review revealed that the criticisms, such as they were and whatever their validity, were directed only toward female governors general. One might conclude that female vice-regals were flawed and their male counterparts were flawless. Highly unlikely.
Being more intensely critical and of women in positions of prominence or leadership is not a new phenomenon. Maggie Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Kim Campbell, Judy LaMarsh and Kathleen Wynne were treated roughly in comparison to what their male counterparts faced. The blatant misogyny we criticize elsewhere does not mean that the discriminatory criticism of women in leadership is absent here.
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