Clark hires former McGuinty aide as new communications director

VICTORIA – The staffing revolving door continues to turn in Premier Christy Clark’s office, with the announcement today of the hiring of a new director of communications and several internal changes.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s former media relations chief Ben Chin is Clark’s new communications director.

Chin, who lives in Vernon, B.C., has also worked as a journalist for CBC, CTV and City TV and was most recently working as a vice-president and advisor to Air Miles for Social Change.

Chin replaces Sara MacIntyre, a former press secretary to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who served less than a year in Clark’s office.

Chin’s placement comes during a government-wide hiring freeze, but government officials says the position was a replacement, not a new job.

In recent months, Clark’s office has seen chief of staff Ken Boessenkool quit over inappropriate conduct and the return of former Gordon Campbell press secretary Mike Morton.