Human rights complaint filed against new Harper staffer
PM's communications head doesn't speak French
The Canadian Press
Posted: Sep 3, 2011 3:17 PM ET
Last Updated: Sep 3, 2011 3:13 PM ET
A Quebec separatist has filed an official complaint against Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new choice for communications director.
Gilles Rheaume wants the Canadian Human Rights Commission to investigate the appointment of Angelo Persichilli.
The ex-president of the St. Jean Baptiste Society says the fact that Persichilli can't speak French is unfair to French-speaking Canadians and journalists.
Rheaume also says that Persichilli, a former journalist, has engaged in "Quebec bashing" in some of his work.
Rheaume isn't the first Quebecer to complain about the appointment.
Several politicians and pundits have criticized the choice, saying it's a sign the province isn't a priority for Harper.
Persichilli, whose appointment was announced on Aug. 31, will replace Dimitri Soudas next week as Harper's director of communications.
The 63-year-old journalist was a columnist for the Toronto Star and political editor of Italian-language newspaper Corriere Canadese.
He also contributed regular political columns to The Hill Times newspaper and the Toronto Sun, and appeared as a commentator on network news programs.
Born in Castellino, Italy, Perscichilli emigrated to Canada in 1975. He was involved in multicultural broadcasting in Toronto, reaching the post of vice president at CFMT, now called Omni.
At the time of his appointment, Persichilli said he will be working to learn French.
"I'm honoured and privileged for this job, for the appointment and I'm honoured to serve Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government," Persichilli said.
Harper's bilingual press secretary Andrew MacDougall will take on the role of associate director of communications and be the main spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office.
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