Prime Minister Stephen Harper rises during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa, Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
The communications director has the thankless job of managing the Prime Minister's 24/7 relationship with the media, and by extension, the Canadian public. No one has held this tricky job for very long.
Andrew MacDougall
Age at appointment: 36
Appointed: April 4, 2012
Upcoming challenges: F-35, Robocalls
Angelo Persichilli
Age at appointment: 63
Appointed: September, 2011
Reason for departure: Long hours
Challenges: Robocalls, first majority budget
Dimitri Soudas
Age at appointment: 30
Appointed: April 11, 2010
Reason for departure: Family time
Challenges: "Anti-patriotic" comments from Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff; prorogation
John Williamson
Age at appointment: 39
Appointed: Aug. 27, 2009
Reason for departure: Sought Conservative nomination in New Brunswick Southwest
Challenges: Frosty relations between PMO, media
Kory Teneycke
Age at appointment: 33
Appointed: July 7, 2008
Reason for departure: Spend more time with his young family
Challenges: Improving relations with press gallery
Sandra Buckler
Age at appointment: 41
Appointed: Feb. 20, 2006
Reason for departure: Health issues
Challenges during tenure: Strict control of access and information from PMO
William Stairs
Age at appointment: 49
Appointed: June 29, 2005
Reason for departure: Fired
Challenges: David Emerson's defection from Liberals to Conservative Party