The new OLO

Here it is. The new staff lineup in the Liberal leader's office; as laid out in a memo that just went out to MPs' offices this morning.

Dear Liberal Colleagues,

Today is my first day on the job as Chief of Staff in Mr. Ignatieff’s office and I am delighted to be back on the Hill and part of the Liberal Team.

As Mr. Ignatieff has said, we have a lot of work ahead of us to earn the confidence and support of all those Canadians who want a strong alternative to the Harper Conservatives.  I look forward to working shoulder-to-shoulder with all of you – and with Liberals across Canada - in the months ahead in earning that support.

Indeed, as with any winning effort, to succeed we must work as a team, a disciplined and determined team.   To that end, I am very pleased to announce the new senior staff compliment in the OLO.  This is a very seasoned group of proven individuals with a wide breadth of experience in politics and the wider public sphere.   Moreover, as you will see from the organization chart, the emphasis will be, as it must, on clear lines of authority and responsibility as well as accountability for execution and results.

http://www.liberal.ca/pdf/docs/olo-org.pdf

Principal Secretary – Jean Marc Fournier

Jean Marc was the Liberal Member for the riding of Chateauguay in the Quebec National Assembly from 1994 to 2008.  He served, respectively, as Opposition Whip and, later, as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Education, Minister of Revenue, and House Leader in the governments of Premier Jean Charest.  After deciding not to seek re-election in 2008, Jean Marc was a senior advisor to Mr. Charest in the election that saw the Charest government return to majority status.  As Principal Secretary, Jean Marc will provide senior strategic counsel to Mr. Ignatieff.

Chief Operating Officer – Patricia Sorbara

Pat is one of the most experienced Liberal organizers and logistics experts in Canada. She was a senior member on the staffs of Ontario Premier David Peterson and his ministers.  She served as Chief Returning Officer for the Liberal Party of Canada in the hard-fought 2006 Leadership Convention.  In 1997, Pat co-founded Advanced Utility Systems, a software company she very successfully built and later sold in 2006.  As COO, Pat will be responsible for the entire operations of the OLO, with all directors reporting to her.  She will report directly to me. 

Director of the Liberal Caucus Research Bureau and Senior Policy Advisor to the Leader– Brian Bohunicky

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Brian served in the Chretien government as an aide to Lloyd Axworthy and as Chief of Staff to David Anderson during the latter’s time both as Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Transport.  He has worked in provincial and federal Liberal campaigns in both Manitoba and British Columbia.  Since 2000, Brian has been a public servant in four successive departments, most recently Agriculture Canada.  Brian also holds a Rhodes Scholarship from Oxford University.  In his new capacities, Brian will hold two roles: As Director of the LCRB, he will report to the Liberal Caucus Executive, as Senior Policy Advisor to the Leader, he will report within the new OLO structure.

Director of Communications – Mario Laguë

Mario served as a communication aide to Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa and as Quebec’s representative in Venezuela and Mexico.   In the Government of Canada, Mario has been DG Communications in Inter-Governmental Affairs, and he served for five years as ADM Communications in the Privy Council Office – the highest communications function in the federal public service.  In 2004, Mario served as Director of Communications for Prime Minister Paul Martin.  He subsequently served as Canadian Ambassador to Costa Rica, and most recently, as head of global communications for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the world’s largest environmental organization, based in Switzerland.   Mario will hold responsibility for all OLO communications, including the Press Office.

Director of Operations – Sachin Aggarwal

Sachin has been in the OLO since 2008. He was National Director of Operations in Michael Ignatieff’s 2006 leadership campaign and managed Mr. Ignatieff’s two successful campaigns for Parliament in Etobicoke Lakeshore in 2006 and 2008. Prior to joining the OLO, Sachin practiced corporate law at Torys LLP in Toronto.

Director of Legislative Affairs – Jeremy Broadhurst

Jeremy has been in the OLO since 2006.  He has served as senior policy advisor under Liberal leaders Bill Graham, Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff.  Jeremy entered government in 2004, when Mr. Graham was Defence Minister.  He also boasts practical political experience, serving as Mr. Graham’s campaign manager in the 2004 and 2006 elections.  Jeremy holds a law degree from the University of Toronto, and was an associate with the law firm Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg in Toronto.  Jeremy will be the OLO lead on all matters pertaining to Parliamentary strategies and tactics, working in close coordination with the Opposition House and Senate Leader’s offices.

Caucus Liaison – Karen Redman

Karen was MP for Kitchener Centre from 1997 to 2008.  She has served as both Chief Government Whip and Chief Opposition Whip, as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the environment.  In her decade on the Hill, Karen was one of the most respected and hard-working Members of Parliament in Ottawa.   Karen is already nominated to be the Liberal candidate in the next federal election.  Her strong and deep ties with her former – and future – caucus colleagues will ensure maximum coordination between the OLO and MPs and Senators.

Party Liaison – Heather Chiasson

Heather has been involved with the Liberal Party since the early eighties.  She has been a member of the National Executive, representing Atlantic Canada.  Since 1992, Heather has been a constant and steadfast presence at the LPC National Office, first as a volunteer, later as a staffer.  Heather has also been vice chair of a crown corporation for 8 years and has also served on a variety of NGO and Community Boards.  In her new role, Heather will serve as a link for the OLO – and, importantly, for Mr. Ignatieff personally – with the National Office, the National Campaign Committee and active Liberals across Canada.

Executive Assistant to the Leader – Jim Pimblett

Jim served as EA to Prime Minister Paul Martin from 2003 to 2006 – the perfect, high-pressure, high-performance experience for his OLO responsibilities.  Prior to joining Mr. Martin’s staff, Jim was Director of Tour and Events in the office of then-Ontario Opposition Leader Dalton McGuinty. He has an MBA from Queens University and was working as a management consultant prior to joining the OLO.  Jim will travel with Mr. Ignatieff and be responsible for Mr. Ignatieff’s schedule.

These appointments, with one exception, are effective immediately.  Brian Bohunicky will join the team on December 7.

In Michael Ignatieff, we Liberals have a leader of truly international standing.  He understands the huge, long term economic challenges our country is facing – and the tremendous human cost they are already exacting across Canada under a callous, uncaring, incompetent government.  And he knows that our future depends on innovative thinking and caring, engaged leadership to enable our country to secure the industries and jobs of tomorrow - and the prosperity and the strong, vital social programs that go with them.

Our job in the OLO is to help Mr. Ignatieff and his Liberal Team across Canada bring that message of hope and change to Canadians in the months ahead. 

Peter Donolo

 

Comments

[Elizabeth MaybeNot]

I love reading your stuff and more than that , I love watching the Liberals die off. Here is a challenge for you Susan. How about doing your best to find the "missing Millions" that the Liberals stole from us?

[MyThought]

Elizabeth MaybeNot - how crass. How about the self-promoting millions Harper's using of taxpayer dollars.

Yup, Con supporters are so crass at times. You know, they are instructed to go on all blogs/journalist articles with PM talking points.

By the way, until and/or unless those millions are found - no one can be accused...law

[RT B]

I see the paid Con trolls are out in force.....
Find a new schtick Lizzy.. the Con knuckle draggers might still believe the crap your spouting but they would be looking at the pictures in the Sun not reading the Star.

[Patrick Hrushowy]

Again the West is completely left out. Oh well, that is as it has always been with the Liberals. Instead of being Toronto-centric, Ignatieff's office can now be claimed as Central and Eastern-centric.

[Janet Wilson]

Looks like the West is left to eat crow. I guess Ignatieff has calculated he doesn't need any seats east of Manitoba to retake the Liberal entitlement of power.

[Markalanwhittle]

Where in the world had Volunteer Liberal War-Roomer Warren Kinsella gone, back to Toronto?

[BF]

"To that end, I am very pleased to announce the new senior staff compliment in the OLO."?

Try staff complement. Who learned this guy his English?

[Ed]

You poor disillusioned Liberals. There is no hope.

[wascally wabbit]

Congratulations Mr. Donolo.
Day one - out of the gate - you are sending the right message - experience - a broad base drawn from - now let's see this ripple through the ranks of the Liberal hierachy - starting at Riding presidents!

[Terry James]

Who cares?

[Dayton]

Callous uncaring incompetent govt. Umm, Donolo you just described the Liberals to a T!!!

[hollinm]

It doesn't matter how many retreads Donolo brings into the OLO that will not change the attitude of Canadians towards their leader. Today he stands up in all of his pomposity chastizing the government for their apparent lack of action on the environment. Have Liberals no shame? For virtually 10 years they ignored the environment after signing Kyoto.
So Donolo can arrange the deck chairs on the titanic but Canadians have taken the measure of Iffy and find him lacking.

[Jason Cherniak]

Odd that some commenters think Winnipeg is not part of the "West"...

[Cdnexpat]

I notice that the name Mario Laguë appears on the list. His name also came up during the investigation into the sponsorship scandal. How many more people connected to that is Ignatieff going to bring back.

[MCBellecourt]

Obviously Mario Lague has been cleared by the Investigation, Cdnexpat--incidentally, thank you for mentioning that there actually WAS an investigation, a little fact that Cons like to conveniently overlook when they dust off this rusty old saw to justify their own corruption.

For now, I think I'll take it on the belief that Donolo knows what he's doing, because with Harper in the PMO, the 'sinking ship' isn't the Liberal Party, but Canada herself.

[Tim from Alberta]

Jason,I have been telling you for years that we "westerners" do not include Manitoba in our family.They are "fence sitters" and always go "where the money is"!
It is obvious that Donolo and the OLO have/see no one from the west whose opinion and expertise are worthy of their time.
This attitude has not changed with the years.
The liberal power base is in Ontario and Quebec.Their policies are based on what is best for those two provinces.The vast majority of their votes are in those two regions.
To suggest(or claim) that they, have ever,will now or ever intend to, represent and/or support all regions of this country is the largest piece of political propeganda ever foisted upon the people of this country.
I didn't know that we "Con trolls" got paid.I don't!!!!!
p.s. yeah.......where is Warren Kinsella???

[Bill]

GDP still in recession, unemployment still climbing, H1N1 fiasco, sexy isotopes and the con trolls here whine about who is in the OLO?

You can't spell control with a con or a troll

[Arturolexo]

Regardless of how incompetent Davey, Fairweather, and the rest of them were, the problem was and still is a completely out of touch, uncharismatic leader. With all this reshuffling, you can now add the somewhat distasteful image of a hapless politician being "handled", in essence manipulated like a checker piece to gain political advantage by a bunch of professional backroom staffers with no connection to iggo other than a paycheque. This will fail as well, and the next reshuffle will include iggo's resignation.

[hshields]

Why is this news?

[margaret]

Speak for yourself MCBellecourt. I've lived in Alberta all my life, and I have alays considered Manitoba to be part of the west! What a dumb thing to say.

You know, if Alberta were to really separate? Do you know where they'll go looking for decent hay when the inevitable drought really hits this province? Do you have any idea how hard it has been for horse and cattle owners to FIND hay this year that isn't less than $160 a bale, and even as high as $190 a bale? That's just one problem - when Water-Free Alberta keeps going down the road to desertification. No Water.

It's amusing to see the panic ripple throught the Tories' algae-pond now that it's become obvious that Ignatieff is taken very seriously by high-profile, experienced Canadians. So much so, that they're chucking good jobs aside for less pay, and in some cases for no pay -- because Harper is such a disaster to the country.

[Tim from Alberta]

Poor ole' McBellecourt,I think he got read the riot act for one of my comments.
Sorry bout that!
I guess there is a connection between suggesting that Manitoba is a "fence sitter" and the future "desertification" of Alberta.
I suggest that there are also many high profile,experienced Canadians who DO NOT take Mr. Ignatieff very seriously.
p.s. who is coming on board the "Donolo express" for less, little or no pay?????

[Marie]

Hollinm, Odd that some commenters think Winnipeg is not part of the "West"...

I don't think its odd that some think Manitoba is not part of the west. Mainly Albertans. I read and hear many Albertans that feel the same and think they are living in the best province of all. Tells us how much or how little they know about Canada. Quebecers have nothing over Albertans. Heck, you would think they are jealous and want to move Ottawa to Alberta. For some strange reason, they think they deserve it. Agreed hsheild, STevie is a disaster to Canada.

[MCBellecourt]

@margaret: Nowhere in my post did I discuss the east/west thing. Look again. I was discussing the sponsorship scandal with 'Cdnexpat'. I also thanked 'Cdnexpat for acknowledging that there actually WAS an investigation into that sponsorship scandal. 'Tim from Alberta' was talking about Manitoba, but having said that, I am one who likes to think that we're all still living in the same country (least I hope so!)...oh, and BTW, I'm from BC. Cheers from CampbellLand :P

A Don Harron feetnote: Granted, the posters' names are rather hard to see in that pale shade of blue...I have to look pretty close. Perhaps those poster names could be darkened a shade or two (?)

[MCBellecourt]

...oh, and folks, one more thing, and this is important. Although the Gordon Campbell party that is running BC (into the ground) calls itself a "liberal" party, please know that it USED to be a Liberal party under Gordon Wilson until Campbell and Co (reformers and socreds) hijacked the name and the party in 2001.During the 2001 election campaign, a "BCliberal" candidate so much as told me that the new BC party had NO affiliation with the Fed. Liberal Party WHATSOEVER.

They lost my vote that day. I was looking for a centrist alternative to the BCNDP and immediately smelled a rat. Turns out I was right (and that's not always fun, believe me).

Folks must not be fooled by this deception on the part of Campbell's BC government; nor should it influence one's opinion on the Federal Party led by Micheal Ignatieff. The two parties are exact polar opposites, and I have 32 years of BC residence and some political experience to back me up on this.

[MCBellecourt]

@Tim from Alberta: I looked again at the posts. Thanks for owning up.

I noticed something else about Ms. Delacourt's threads-- (not intended to be a criticism, just an observation).

Unlike other threads, the poster's name is shown BELOW the posts, not above.

Kinda funny how everything transpired, actually :P

Anyhoo, cheers all...methinks I'm going to have a look-see to find out if there's any more developments on the Colvin story...