The staffs of party leaders can make a world of difference when it comes to the effectiveness of their chief’s mission so, here on the Hill, we tend to keep a close eye on whose coming and going in key positions. A few changes today:
- In the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Andrew MacDougall today becomes the prime minister’s director of communications, the seventh to hold that title since Harper took office in 2006, succeeding Angelo Persichilli who resigned last week.
- Also in the PMO: Michael White assumes the job of director of strategic communications.
- In the office of the Leader of the Official Opposition (OLO), Karl Bélanger, who has served in a communications role in the NDP leaders’ office ever since Alexa McDonough was leader, becomes Principal Secretary to Thomas Mulcair. He succeeds, Brad Lavigne who had been Principal Secretary to Jack Layton.
- Also in the OLO, Mulcair has named two deputy chiefs of staff to the transitional Chief of Staff Anne McGrath. Steve Moran was Mulcair’s chief of staff when Mulcair as the opposition house leader and Chantale Turgeon has been Mulcair’s long-time press secretary.
- As Mulcair said upon taking up his new duties, the staff transitions in the OLO may “cascade” over weeks and month. The next most significant one will likely be the departure of McGrath possibly in favour of Raoul Gebert who was the director of Mulcair’s leadership campaign. Gaby Senay is also expected to depart her position shortly as Media Director within the OLO.