Harper names new director
Andrew Macdougall to head communications
Longtime PMO spokesperson Andrew Macdougall has been named Stephen Harper’s new director of communications.
Macdougall, 36, was named Harper’s seventh director of communications Wednesday morning following the resignation last week of former Toronto Star columnist Angelo Persichilli, who took the top job in the Prime Minister’s Office just seven months ago.
Unlike Persichilli, Macdougall is fluent in both of Canada’s official languages, and has more than five years’ experience working on Parliament Hill. Since 2006, the affable Macdougall has risen steadily through the ranks, most recently holding the position of Harper’s press secretary, a job that entails being the Prime Minister’s point man on many high-profile files.
Jim Armour, who was Harper’s communications director from 2002 to 2004 when the Conservatives were in opposition, described the job as “24/7.” He said Macdougall has “all of the elements” necessary for the job, including the respect of the press gallery and a good sense of humour.
“He knows what he’s in for and knows what it means to work those long hours,” Armour told the Star.
In his resignation letter Friday, Persichilli, 64, cited the “extremely intense effort and very long hours” required for the job of director of communications.
“With considerable regret, I have informed Prime Minister Stephen Harper that I am resigning from my position as director of communications, effective once my successor is appointed,” Persichilli wrote. “This is a prestigious position that requires extremely intense effort and very long hours, which at a certain age, are not an option for a long period of time.”
Macdougall, who is from Ottawa, is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.