- Dimitri Soudas
-
Dimitri Soudas 
Director of Communications, Prime Minister's Office In office
2010 – September 5, 2011Prime Minister Stephen Harper Preceded by John Williamson Succeeded by Angelo Persichilli Press Secretary, Prime Minister's Office In office
2006–2010Prime Minister Stephen Harper Preceded by Melanie Gruer Succeeded by Sara MacIntyre
Andrew MacDougallPersonal details Born July 10, 1979
Montreal, QuebecPolitical party Conservative Party of Canada Profession Communications Executive Dimitri Soudas (born July 10, 1979) is the outgoing director of communications in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office. In addition to his media responsibilities, Soudas is a key advisor to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Quebec issues.
Soudas was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. He moved to Ottawa in 2002, shortly after Harper became leader of the Canadian Alliance and Leader of the Official Opposition. He is also the longest-serving communication staff in Harper's entourage. When Harper became Prime Minister after the 2006 federal election, Soudas joined him in government, initially as press secretary.
In 2008 an investigation by The Globe and Mail and CBC News uncovered allegations that Soudas politically interfered in a pair of political dossiers. Soudas admitted his involvement but has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.[1] On June 4, 2008, Mary Dawson, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner issued a report clearing Soudas from any wrongdoing in the matter.[2]
In 2009 Soudas was forced to apologize for providing incorrect information to Prime Minister Stephen Harper regarding statements attributed to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff. At the G8 on the world stage, Harper was obliged to retract his statements about domestic political matters in the midst of a meeting surrounding the world's current economic crisis.[3]
On March 13, 2010, Soudas's American counterpart Robert Gibbs wore a Canadian hockey sweater, after Gibbs lost a friendly bet to him regarding the victories of national ice hockey teams of both men and women at the 2010 Winter Olympics.[4]
He was promoted to director of communications in spring 2010, following the resignation of John Williamson.
On June 1, Soudas revealed he would be stepping down as Harper's chief spokesman on September 5, 2011 to focus on his family.[5] He will be succeeded by Angelo Persichilli.[6]
On September 28, 2011, Soudas announced that he will become the Executive Director, Communications for the Canadian Olympic Committee.[7] His role is to provide overall direction, management and a strategic view for all COC communication activities, both internally and externally. He will be the key corporate spokesperson responsible for managing its brand message, playing a key role in driving communications strategies with its stakeholder and partner groups: athletes, National Sports Federation's (NSF's), Organizing Committees, Sport Canada, broadcast partners, and business partners. He will be managing the COC communications team and is the lead communications representative at Olympic Games. Soudas is be based at the Canadian Olympic Committee's office in Toronto and also works from the Montreal and Ottawa offices to ensure that the national scope of his responsibilities will be fulfilled.[8]
References
- ^ "PMO spokesman denies political interference". CBC News, January 30, 2008.
- ^ "The Soudas Examination". Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, June 4, 2008.
- ^ "Harper misfires in Ignatieff attack". Toronto Star, July 10, 2009.
- ^ "The hockey sweater, White House style". CBC News, March 12, 2010.
- ^ "Harper aide Soudas calls it quits". Toronto Star, June 1, 2011.
- ^ "Harper finds new communication director in ranks of ethnic media". The Globe and Mail, August 31, 2011.
- ^ "Former Harper spokesman Soudas joins Canadian Olympic Committee". National Post, September 28, 2011.
- ^ "Canadian Olympic Committee Names Dimitri Soudas Executive Director, Communications". Canadian Olympic Committee, September 28, 2011.
Categories:- 1979 births
- Living people
- Canadian political consultants
- Canadian people of Greek descent
- People from Montreal
- Canadian politician stubs
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