Governor General's first year won't include Manitoba visit

Dylan Robertson
09/19/2018 7:00 PM

OTTAWA — The Governor General will not be visiting Manitoba within her first year in office, breaching a long-held tradition amid growing concerns Julie Payette’s work ethic is riling Rideau Hall staff.

With two weeks to go until the first anniversary of her installation as Canada's 29th vice-regal representative, Payette has also messed with protocol by failing to make the traditional welcoming visits to Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Multiple sources affiliated with Canada’s monarchists and heraldry movements say they’ve heard Payette has prioritized her work-life balance beyond what her staff expect.

“There are some questions about the nature of her schedule, and the amount of time she’s being asked to devote to certain things,” said Philippe Lagassé, a Carleton University professor specializing in the Westminster system.