The party’s legal adviser, Arthur Hamilton, has been replaced by Michael Wilson, a Poilievre ally and partner at law firm Goodmans, sources said. The sources were not authorized to speak publicly about the change.
It is the latest in a series of appointments by Poilievre that includes an overhaul of the party’s powerful fundraising arm and a reported change in a senior leadership role.
Wilson, a partner in the litigation group at Goodmans, helped with Poilievre’s leadership campaign. A Politico profile of the campaign names him as an Ontario field organizer. He previously worked as Chief of Staff to the Attorney General of Ontario.
His predecessor, Hamilton, a partner at Dentons, has a long history of representing the party, including in high-profile incidents during the Stephen Harper era, such as the 2011 robocalls case.
Former cabinet minister Tony Clement has been appointed to the board of the Conservative Fund. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
The switch follows other recent changes behind the scenes. One of Poilievre’s first moves when he became Conservative leader was to replace the head of the powerful Conservative Fund.
James Dodds, appointed to the party’s fundraising arm by former leader Erin O’Toole, has been replaced by attorney Robert Staley, another Poilievre ally who has been with the party since the Harper era.
Former MP and Cabinet Minister Tony Clement has also been appointed to the Fund’s board.
Less than a week after winning the leadership, the Toronto Star reported that Mike Crais, executive director of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives, would become executive director of the federal party.
A spokesman for Poilievre’s office said he would not comment on personnel matters.
