Gordon Campbell’s assistant Lara Dauphinee exits the premier’s office

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      Former premier Gordon Campbell’s longtime executive assistant and deputy chief of staff Lara Dauphinee pulled down $131,916 in the 2009-2010 fiscal year, according to the provincial public accounts.

      With Premier Christy Clark now at the helm, Dauphinee is gone entirely. And Clark’s new communications director, Shane Mills, would not give the reason for Dauphinee’s termination.

      “The [staff] list is there,” Mills told the Straight by phone, before later adding: “Well, you might not have noticed, there has been a new premier. Premiers pick their staff.”

      Mills also noted, “The people on that list that you have are the people who are in the office of the premier.”

      According to 2009-2010’s public-accounts records from the Finance Ministry, Campbell’s former chief of staff, Martyn Brown, hauled in $170,544. He was made a deputy minister by Campbell shortly before he announced his resignation.

      Meanwhile, former press secretary Bridgitte Anderson earned $114,511. Among the Victoria staff, former communications director Dale Steeves was paid $85,418, and Doug Brown collected $78,185. Brown is now listed as manager of communications and issues management.

      Given Dauphinee’s higher salary, the Straight asked Mills if a restructuring of the pay grades was in the offing.

      “That’s personnel stuff so”¦to be honest, I don’t know the answer either,” he said.

      Comments

      14 Comments

      glen p robbins

      Mar 17, 2011 at 6:42pm

      Nice looking--lady

      get up off 'a that chair ---------------- and dance til you feel better.

      Vizio

      Mar 17, 2011 at 8:31pm

      ahhh yes the gravy train ends, hmmmm what were her qualifications?

      I googled her name, suprising results!

      John's Aghast

      Mar 17, 2011 at 9:04pm

      What I want to know is 'What is/are Basi and Virk's pensions and when do they srart collecting them?
      Okay, Lara's too.

      Kam Lee

      Mar 17, 2011 at 9:22pm

      She looks like a young Nancy.

      Evil Eye

      Mar 17, 2011 at 10:14pm

      Alas, poor Laura, Gordo knew her too well. I am sure their ship will soon sail to a happier life in Honolulu.

      Jebus really?

      Mar 17, 2011 at 10:55pm

      Do we really still have to call her an assistant?

      By the way why was Gordon Wilson catapulted from the BC Liberal leadership all those years ago?

      NDB

      Mar 18, 2011 at 8:09am

      how is this news?

      Salty one

      Mar 18, 2011 at 11:48am

      It's interesting how Dauphine's removal is characterized as a termination while Brown, Anderson and Steeves are referred to as former employees. Dauphine makes pretty hefty money for someone who is just an assistant. She made more than a many line ministry staff who have real titles, credentials and responsabilties. Now that she's gone she'll land on some soft pillow somewhere in that rich dumping ground these types usually end up in like a blue plate board, think tank or committee. And to be fair, that's what happened to high profile NDP hacks back when as well.

      JJS

      Mar 18, 2011 at 12:30pm

      Is that really what Shane Mills said...“Well, you might not have noticed, there has been a new premier. Premiers pick their staff.”? Sounds like an arrogant douche bag to me...

      glen p robbins

      Mar 18, 2011 at 1:10pm

      NDP - its news because Campbell has long been linked romantically with this beautiful woman, AND her salary is particularly noteworthy measured against her peers, AND Campbell is leaving as well --------- when this women's position wouldn't necessarily mean that she HAD to leave in ordinary circumstances.

      It's political news - under the heading Evidence of Change.