Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's top political aide, chief of staff Katie Telford, (pictured) faces allegations she intentionally inflicted mental suffering on an ex-ambassador.

The allegation is contained in a lawsuit filed by Vivian Bercovici, a former Canadian ambassador to Israel, appointed by the previous Conservative government and subsequently fired by the Trudeau Liberals.

Bercovici alleges she was terminated without being properly compensated for pension benefits, and that the government abused and harassed her.

On Monday, her lawyer will petition the Ontario Court of Justice to amend the lawsuit to have Telford and four senior officials of Global Affairs Canada added as defendants.

The Justice Department says in a reply filed in court last month that Bercovici's "bold allegations'' should be dismissed.

Bercovici's lawsuit alleges she was unwelcomed by the bureaucracy from the moment she was appointed.

After the Liberals fired her in mid-2016, as they were entitled to do, Bercovici alleges the government withheld almost $32,000 in pension benefits.

She is suing for that amount, as well as millions of dollars in punitive and moral damages.