B.C. premier Christy Clark hires former Stephen Harper advisor as chief of staff

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      Christy Clark has hired a new chief of staff, and his experience includes working as a senior policy advisor and strategist to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

      Ken Boessenkool is replacing Mike McDonald, who will move to the job of principal secretary to the B.C. premier on February 15.

      Boessenkool, currently a public policy consultant and an executive fellow at the University of Calgary, also served as a policy advisor to two Alberta finance ministers.

      According to the Registry of Lobbyists, Boessenkool has lobbied the federal government on behalf of many corporations and organizations, including Enbridge, GlaxoSmithKline, Rio Tinto, SNC Lavalin Nuclear, Suncor Energy, Pfizer Canada, and Taser International.

      Today's (January 12) news release from the office of the premier states: "Mr. Boessenkool and Mr. McDonald's duties will be divided between operations and strategic functions, respectively. As Chief of Staff to the Premier, Mr. Boessenkool will manage operations of the Premier's office, including management of the cabinet process and personnel. As Principal Secretary to the Premier, Mr. McDonald will be responsible for strategic planning on policy and communications, and liaising with the Government Caucus."

      B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Cummins called Boessenkool an "Albertan super-lobbyist" and said Clark is "shuffling the deck chairs of the titanic".

      "Today is further proof that the only people getting ahead in Liberal BC are lobbyists, cronies and insiders," Cummins stated in a news release.

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      Comments

      20 Comments

      LostMyGlasses

      Jan 12, 2012 at 2:39pm

      Please correct me if I am wrong, but I also believe he has worked as a lobbyist for none other than Enbridge.

      They're stacking the deck, folks!

      ABSally

      Jan 12, 2012 at 3:45pm

      And here I thought she was a Liberal. Strange

      ABSally

      Jan 12, 2012 at 3:47pm

      What a great Liberal premier!

      KindOfBlue

      Jan 12, 2012 at 3:56pm

      No comment from the BC NDP? Stephen, are you asking for comment only from the Conservatives for a reason?

      Mark Fornataro

      Jan 12, 2012 at 4:02pm

      Ken Boessenkoo is a big supporter of the oilsands as this line from his attached article shows: "... the PC party needs to adopt a strong and sustained stance in favour of our energy industry, especially the critical role that the oilsands play in Canada's economy, not to mention its geopolitical value." He also makes clear he favors coalition building on the right which is probably why Premier Clark hired him- http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Redford+must+strengthen+Conservative...

      Pat

      Jan 12, 2012 at 4:04pm

      This makes it even more likely that Clark's election campaigning will have some of the nastiest attack ads we've ever seen in BC.

      no need

      Jan 12, 2012 at 4:46pm

      Call it a hunch but Christie isn't in it for the long run but the big haul she can take away. After she has finished doing her dirty work she will be gone for family reasons, call it another hunch but it is what she did when plans for BC rail went astray. But not to far that Clark and family didn't get a pay day from CN shares and Liberals go any which way but loose as loose lips would have sunk the Liberals but the party are sunk just the same. I predict the people of BC will stop the pipelines and no Coalition is going to save the party from its demise. Because the right is all might while the left is all fight and the people will prevail because they have done it before. Lucky for BC.

      spartikus

      Jan 12, 2012 at 5:00pm

      Your B.C. Liberal Government, a week in review:

      Tuesday: We're going to take a wait and see attitude and the let facts come in.

      Wednesday: Kevin Falcon goes full wingnut, joining in with the "radicals and foreigners" rhetoric.

      Thursday: An Enbridge lobbyist becomes Chief of Staff.

      Hurray!

      Katie lau

      Jan 12, 2012 at 5:13pm

      Is Boessenkool part of the deal to repay the Harper party for the HST? Kind of like a "third party manager'? I

      GZLFB

      Jan 12, 2012 at 6:25pm

      She is in fear of the BCC battle.