Pallister hires newcommunications director

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This article was published 16/6/2017 (461 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Brian Pallister has named Chisholm Pothier as his director of communications and stakeholder relations, effective June 26.

Pothier will become the most publicly visible member of Pallister’s inner circle.

After stints as a reporter and editor in Fredericton and Moncton, N.B., Pothier has served two high-level Tories, beginning in 2003 when he became press secretary to New Brunswick premier Bernard Lord, Pallister said in a news release Friday.

In 2007, Pothier became director of communications and media relations for former federal finance minister Jim Flaherty.

He’s worked the last three years as vice-president of communications and engagement for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Friday’s announcement did not disclose Pothier’s salary, but the job pays well above $100,000 a year.

He will replace acting director David McLaughlin, Pallister’s campaign manager in last year’s election, who will return to his role as the province’s consultant on climate change issues.

McLaughlin had stepped in for former director Olivia Baldwin-Valainis, named in April to a new position heading the transformation management office, which oversees the government’s overhaul of health care.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca