the inner circle

the premier’s most influential aides, advisors and allies

Dean French Chief of staff

A business exec and lacrosse player, French served as an unofficial advisor to Ford during his years at city hall and later chaired the provincial campaign. He’s pushed through some of Ford’s bolder and more controversial ideas, including the cut to city council.

Kory TeneycKe Campaign manager

Teneycke is the former VP of Sun News Network and previously worked as Stephen Harper’s director of communications. He was instrumental in the creation of Ontario News Now, the pseudo–news network touting Fordist triumphs.

Jenni Byrne Principal secretary

As Harper’s deputy chief of staff, Byrne was known as a skilled operations manager, executing projects with razor efficiency. She brings the same discipline to the premier’s office, though she opposed Ford’s decision to cut council during an election year.

Tanya Granic allen Campaign ally

An outspoken social conservative, Granic Allen helped Ford court the farright vote in exchange for a promise to repeal Kathleen Wynne’s sex-ed curriculum. He ousted her as an MPP candidate when video surfaced of her making homophobic comments.

rueBen Devlin Advisor

The former CEO of Humber River Hospital was frequently by the Fords’ sides during Rob’s health crisis. He’s now serving as special advisor to the premier on health policy—and he reports directly to Ford, not Health Minister Christine Elliott.