PMO, Cabinet staffers come out on top, followed by top Grit, NDP and Bloc Influence, access, and knowing arcane Parliamentary procedure are big strengths in this year's survey. By ABBAS RANA, SONYA BELL Published May 18, 2009

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Guy Giorno, Kory Teneycke, Ray Novak, Ian Davey, Chris Froggatt, Karl Bélanger, Philippe Gagnon, Derek Vanstone, David Prest, Gary Keller, Richard Wackid, Brad Lavigne, Rob Sutherland, William Stairs, Yaroslav Baran, Jill Fairbrother, Alykhan Velshi, Ian Wayne, Anne McGrath, Paul Zed, Sachin Aggarwal, Regan Watts, Dimitris Soudas, Theresa Kavanagh, and Colleen Knight have all been voted the "Terrific Twenty-Five Staffers" on the Hill this year, in The Hill Times ninth annual survey.

The unscientific survey was conducted between March 9 and May 11 and a total of 108 staffers, MPs and political insiders participated by telephone, email, fax and in-person interviews including 61 Conservatives, 26 Liberals, 18 NDP, and three Bloc.

Respondents were asked to vote for the best staffers on the Hill and to then rank them on such categories as "all-round terrific," "knowledge," "influence," "access," "discretion," and "spin control."

Mr. Giorno, the most powerful political staffer and probably the most talked-about and controversial in Ottawa, was appointed as chief of staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) last July. Mr. Giorno has influence and access.

Some Conservative insiders were surprised to learn he was voted the top staffer in this year's survey.

"It'll probably surprise a great many people who don't work at the PMO. A lot of people are blaming him for some of the stuff that's been going on such as near election in January. Maybe, personality wise, he's okay but certainly from a political perspective, people would be rather surprised that he's voted as the top staffer," said one senior Conservative, referring to recent high-profile controversies in which media reports blamed Mr. Giorno.

For instance, media reports have speculated that Kevin Lynch, the clerk of the Privy Council, announced his resignation recently after having disagreements with Mr. Giorno on not getting the billions in stimulus money out the door quickly enough.

Mr. Giorno, who in the past served as chief of staff to former Ontario premier Mike Harris, was also blamed for authorizing the PMO's communications shop to leak information to the media shortly before the Schreiber-Mulroney Inquiry began its hearings that former prime minister Brian Mulroney was not a member of the Conservative Party.

In the fall, Mr. Giorno was blamed along with Prime Minister Harper for the politically explosive measure to strip political parties of their public funding that was contained in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's (Whitby-Oshawa, Ont.) economic statement.

But a Conservative staffer disagreed: "Guy Giorno does an excellent job keeping us all focused on what the government needs to accomplish and what we need to do to accomplish it. He's involved in every file, and knowledgeable about very file and he's an excellent boss," said one source, who did not want to be identified.

Meanwhile, in The Hill Times survey, Mr. Giorno received high votes for his "access, discretion and influence."

Kory Teneycke, director of communications to the Prime Minister, ranked No. 2 top staffer in this year's survey. Mr. Teneycke was brought into the PMO from the Conservative caucus' resource group when Mr. Giorno took over last year. Before coming to the Hill for his second stint at the end of 2007 to head the Tory resource group, Mr. Teneycke served as executive director of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.

The Globe and Mail reported last year that he was "the genius behind Corn Cob Bob, the ethanol lobby's mascot with the corncob head atop a farmer's body. He bought Bob from a farmer's organization to use as a lobbying tool when he headed the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association."

Mr. Novak, 32, who currently works as principal secretary to the Prime Minister and was ranked No. 6 top staffer last year, this year pushed up three notches to No. 3. The bespectacled 32-year-old came to Ottawa to work for Mr. Harper as executive assistant in 2002. Last year, he was promoted as the Prime Minister's principal secretary. Mr. Novak is known as one of the key members of the Prime Minister's inner circle.

Over in the Liberal hallway, Mr. Davey, 51, principal secretary to the Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) was picked as the No. 4 staffer in this year's survey. Son of legendary former Liberal Senator Keith Davey, "The Rainmaker," Mr. Davey is one of the closest political aides to the Liberal leader. If the Liberals win the next federal election, he's expected to be one of the top advisers in an Ignatieff PMO. Mr. Davey started on the Hill in December.

Back in the Conservative hallway, Chris Froggatt, chief of staff to Transport Minister John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.), was ranked No. 5. A former Queen's Park Tory staffer, Mr. Froggatt came to the Hill after the Tories won the 2006 federal election and ever since has been serving as the top staffer to Mr. Baird.

In NDP, Karl Bélanger, senior press secretary to the NDP Leader Jack Layton (Toronto Danforth, Ont.) and principal secretary for Quebec, ranked No. 6.

"I was really hoping for No. 1 this year. I think the process is fixed," joked the affable Mr. Bélanger, 33. "I've been here for 12 years, so I'm better known than some other staffers. I guess it plays in my favour."

Only three Bloc Québécois respondents participated in this year's survey. No Bloc staffers made it to the top 25 list but The Hill Times has used its own discretion and is including Philippe Gagnon, deputy chief of staff to Bloc leader on the list as No. 7. As a senior political aide to Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe (Laurier-Sainte-Marie, Que.), Mr. Gagnon plays a central role in Bloc Québécois Leader's Office and also is an important player in formulating the communications strategy of the leader.

Meanwhile, Derek Vanstone, chief of staff to Mr. Flaherty, was picked as the No. 8 staffer this year. As the top aide to Mr. Flaherty, the former Queen's Park staffer is playing a key role in the Conservative government's handling of the current economic downturn. Mr. Vanstone has been serving in Finance Minister's Office since August 2007.

David Prest, 51, senior Parliamentary adviser to the government House leader, ranked No. 9 this year and was noted for his knowledge of Parliamentary procedure. The Ottawa native is a familiar name on the "Terrific Twenty-Five List" and has worked on the Hill for the last 31 years.

In the current minority Parliament, he is the top Conservative staffer to advise his party on how to deal with the complicated and arcane Parliamentary situations that arise inside the House regularly that could eventually defeat the government. In this year's survey, he received top marks for his in-depth knowledge of Parliamentary rules and regulations.

Gary Keller, 33, chief of staff to Chief Government Whip Gordon O'Connor (Carleton-Mississippi Mills, Ont.), was ranked No. 10 in the "Terrific 25 Staffer" list. The well-respected senior Conservative staffer told The Hill Times that he suspects he received recognition from the survey respondents because of his extensive interaction with staffers and MPs on a daily basis.

"It's always nice to be recognized by the people you work with. However, I'm also cognizant of the fact that my position in the Whip's Office, I have a lot of visibility with Members of Parliament and their staff just in the lobby and that sort of thing. There're lot of staffers out there who work hard and do a lot of good work for all political parties and who don't necessarily get recognized, but I'm lucky in that respect that I have a lot of visibility in the Whip's Office," said Mr. Keller who is a native of Stony Plain, Alta.

Richard Wackid, chief of staff to Liberal Whip Rodger Cuzner (Cape Breton-Canso, N.S.), ranked No. 11. The veteran Grit Hill staffer, who has been working on the Hill for about 21 years, was last year diagnosed with ALS but is continuing in his highly stressful job. After the departure of Jerry Yanover from the Hill as a full-time staffer, Mr. Wackid, who has so far worked for nine Liberal Whips, is the key Parliamentary rules and regulations guy in the Liberal Party.

"I am honoured that colleagues would consider me in this survey," said Mr. Wackid, 44, in an email interview.

Brad Lavigne, 40, who now serves as national director of the New Democratic Party, was ranked No. 11.

"It's a team effort. We have an amazing team coming out of the last election in October and it's a real testament to the team with so many folks recognizing the good work. It always has been, it always will be and without a question, the best team of staffers on the Hill and it's a pleasure to work with them," said Mr. Lavigne, who most recently served as director of communications and research to the NDP caucus services.

Mr. Lavigne first came to the Hill in 2003 to serve as director of communications to the New Democratic Party headquarters, but later on moved to the caucus services to head the party's research and communications team.

Rob Sutherland, Parliamentary assistant to NDP House Leader Libby Davies (Vancouver East, B.C.) was ranked No. 12 and racked up points for his knowledge of Parliamentary procedure and practice.

"I'm always honoured when my colleagues think I'm doing a good job, but it's more important to figure out what politicians who I work for think," said Mr. Sutherland who is his party's top staffer on the Parliamentary procedure.

"I've been around here for a long time. Maybe it's my knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, I would like to think I get along with people or treat them fairly."

William Stairs, chief of staff to Treasury Board President Vic Toews (Provencher, Man.), ranked No. 14 in this year's survey. Well-respected by his peers for his work ethic, Mr. Stairs served as director of communications to Mr. Harper both when he was leader of the official opposition and for about two weeks after he became Prime Minister following the 2006 federal election. The fluently bilingual Nova Scotia native, who holds a PhD, was let go by the prime minister shortly after he took over as prime minister over differences on the communications strategy of the new government. Since then, Mr. Stairs has been serving as chief of staff to Mr. Toews, first when he held the portfolio of Justice and followed him to the Treasury Board.

Yaroslav Baran, chief of staff to the Government House Leader Jay Hill (Prince George-Peace River, B.C.) ranked No. 15, but in an interview last week joked that he was ranked higher in last year's survey. "I used to be higher. I guess, I'm slipping," said Mr. Baran, 34, with a laugh.

Prior to coming to the Hill last year for his second stint, Mr. Baran worked for the Earnscliffe Strategy Group and before that, he worked in the Harper OLO as a senior communications aide.

Meanwhile, Jill Fairbrother, director of communications to the Liberal leader, ranked No. 16 in this year's survey. The 48-year-old Toronto native who is on her first stint on the Hill since December, said that she was surprised to learn that she has made the list.

"I am surprised and delighted to have made the list. It wasn't something I expected," said Ms. Fairbrother and added that she hoped that her inclusion on the list is a reflection of her work.

"I think it's a reflection of my trying to be accessible and work positively with others on communication matters."

Alykhan Velshi, director of communications and Parliamentary affairs to Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney (Calgary Southeast, Alta.), was ranked No. 17 top staffer on the Hill. A lawyer by training, Mr. Velshi, 25, is well-known in Hill circles as a hard-working and bright communication aide. In an interview last week he said: "I work for a very competent minister who is a naturally good communicator and so that makes my job pretty easy. It's just the matter of giving him the opportunities to shine and so I'm at a bit of an advantage in that respect. It's a great team to work for and it's an exciting environment," said Mr. Velshi, adding that working for a high-profile Cabinet minister gives him an opportunity for more exposure.

"It certainly gives you an opportunity to test yourself given the frequency with which he's been quoted in the media, given the ambition of our policy agenda. There's always something going on and again it gives you an opportunity to sink or swim and certainly from my perspective, I don't have any formal communications training, I'm just a tax lawyer at the end of the day. It's been an exercise of learning on my feet," said Mr. Velshi.

Ian Wayne, issues and policy coordinator for the NDP Leader's Office, this year is a new name on the top 25 staffers list and ranked No. 18 top staffer.

"I'm surprised. To be a good staffer, you want to see your name in print as little as possible, but in this case, I'm happy with this exception," said Mr. Wayne, 41, who has been working on the Hill for about five years.

Anne McGrath, chief of staff to the NDP leader, was ranked No. 19 best staffer by this year's respondents. The Ireland-born senior NDP aide who also holds the party president's position said that she works with a good team of staffers which makes her job easy.

"I really have to say I have a fantastic job. I work with an amazing leader and an incredible caucus of MPs and phenomenal staff, all hard-working, smart, talented, principled, compassionate. They make me look good," said Ms. McGrath, who assumed the position of chief of staff to the leader after the federal election and was elected party president at the party's Québec City convention in September 2006.

"People like to recognize good work, for one thing. Those of us who are able to do well, do well because of the hard work of so many other people. Any successes that I have are the result of the hard work of our staff and MPs," Ms. McGrath said.

Former Liberal MP Paul Zed, who currently works as interim chief of staff to the Liberal leader, also made his debut on the list as No. 20 top staffer. Mr. Zed has been holding the position of interim chief of staff since Mr. Ignatieff became party leader in December. Mr. Zed is expected to run in the next federal election.

Sachin Aggarwal, deputy chief of staff to the Liberal leader, is another senior OLO aide who makes his debut to this year's list, ranking No. 21.

"Surprised. Didn't think folks would even know my name yet," said the 30-year-old Toronto lawyer in an email interview.

Prior to coming to Ottawa, he served as a senior adviser to Mr. Ignatieff's 2006 leadership campaign. As for why in his opinion, respondents voted for him, he wrote: "No idea. Dashing good looks?" he wrote.

Regan Watts, director of Parliamentary affairs to Canada's Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq (Nunavut), ranked No. 22. The 28-year-old Regina, Sask., native has been working on the Hill for about four years. One former Conservative Hill staffer described Mr. Watts as "popular with caucus and Cabinet, although diplomacy is not a skill-set he has in abundance."

Dimitris Soudas, press secretary and senior Quebec adviser to the Prime Minister, ranked No. 23. Mr. Soudas is an influential political aide and won high marks for access and influence. Mr. Soudas travels with the boss and controls the list of reporters' questions.

Theresa Kavanagh, NDP Whip's Office coordinator, ranked No. 24. "That must be a mistake," she joked, when told the news. Later, as to why respondents voted for her, Ms. Kavanagh, 51 said: "I've just been around for too long. I know where all the bodies are buried, that's the only reason," she said with a laugh.

Colleen Knight, 25, Parliamentary assistant to NDP MP Peter Stoffer (Sackville-Eastern Shore, N.S.) ranked No. 25 top Hill staffer. The veteran staffer who has been working on the Hill since 1983 is the organizer for the popular "All-Party Party."

arana@hilltimes.com

The Hill Times

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