Horwath Appoints new Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary

Queen’s Park - Today, Ontario New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath announced the appointment of Michael Balagus as new Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary at Queen’s Park. 

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Michael to Queen’s Park as our new Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary,” said Horwath. “I’m confident his knowledge and years of experience as a senior political advisor and manager will make him an invaluable addition to our team.”

Balagus is the former Chief of Staff and Campaign Director for Gary Doer, former Premier of Manitoba (1999-2009), and Greg Selinger, current Premier of Manitoba, and he was the key strategist and architect of the New Democratic Party of Manitoba’s last three historic campaigns. 

“The reputation of management excellence he earned during his time at the Manitoba legislature has myself, our staff and caucus eager to work with him in his new role,” said Horwath. 

Balagus also spent four years based in Bosnia-Herzegovina with the National Democratic Institute, an organization working to support democratic institutions worldwide, developing programming for youth and mentoring local staff about effective electoral processes. Most recently he served as Chief Executive Officer/Chief Administrative Officer for the Ontario Nurses’ Association.