Trudeau has seen shortlist of governor general candidates, is expected to announce choice soon

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has examined a shortlist of candidates to be the next governor general and is expected to announce his choice in the "not too distant future," said Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

LeBlancpreviously told senators he believed a new Queen's representative inCanada could be named by Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24.

"The advisorycommittee with respect to the appointment of the next governor generalconcluded its work a couple weeks ago," said LeBlanc. "We gave the prime ministera list of somewhere between one to 10 extraordinaryCanadians.

"The prime minister has reflected on the list of names we've given him. We expect not too long from now that Canadianswill know the outstanding personwho will assume the job of governor general."

Julie Payette resigned from the post more than fivemonths ago after a scathing external review found she hadpresided over a "toxic" and "poisoned" workplace at Rideau Hall, with episodes of"yelling, screaming, aggressive conduct, demeaning comments and public humiliations."

The third-partyreview gathered testimony from more than 90 people andwas triggered by a CBC News story about alleged mistreatment by Payette and her second-in-command, who also later resigned. Payette has saidshe takes workplace harassment seriously.

Rideau Hall is currently in a period of transitionafter a number of staff went on sick leave or left the office altogether during Payette's time in office. Since herdeparture, some employees have returned to the office or have said theyplan to come back.

The office hasdelayed announcing the recipients of a series of honours, including the Order of Canada, as itreviews nominations.

More than $40,000 in maintenance to prepare Rideau Hall

While the official residence isempty, the National Capital Commission (NCC) said it has been preparing Rideau Hall for the arrival of the new Queen's representative to Canada by cleaning, paintingand changing furniture.

The NCC spent just over $40,000 on maintenance jobs:

• $24,425 for replacing chandelier hoists in two main staircases in the Monck Wing
• $9,245 for installing a new building automation system control panel forHVAC systems at Rideau Hall
• $8,638 for updating countertops in the private quarters

More than $250,000 wasspent to satisfy Payette's desire for privacy at Rideau Hall by, among other things,designing a private staircase that was never built and installing a series of gates to keep people away from her office.

Despite the renovations,Payettenever did moveinto her official residence during her four years in office. The official residence is supposed to be both the workplace and home of the governor general.

The office has been without an occupantsince Jan. 21.Supreme Court Justice Richard Wagner has been juggling his top court duties withserving asacting governor general.