In the pantheon of bad government appointments, Julie Payette – who last week resigned as governor general, owing to findings that she engaged in what amounts to workplace harassment at Rideau Hall – ranks near the top.
Choosing a governor general – or more precisely, recommending to the Queen a suitable representative for the Crown in Canada – is not among the most difficult tasks of a prime minister. The main challenge arises in selecting among a wide range of worthy candidates.
Which leads to the question, what are the core qualifications for governor general?