Liberals announce shakeup in premier's office as Peter Miles departs as chief of staff
Peter Miles has served in top political roles with Andrew Furey and Dwight Ball
There's a shakeup at the top levels of government in Newfoundland and Labrador, with the chief of staff for Premier Andrew Furey set to leave one of the most influential political jobs in the province.
Peter Miles, who casts a big shadow when he enters a room but has a knack for quietly blending into the background, has tendered his resignation.
"Peter Miles has been a dedicated friend, sound counsel, and has worked passionately for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Quick, intelligent, and with a historian's love of where we've been, we will all miss him in my office as he moves on to the next chapter in his life," Furey wrote in a statement released Friday afternoon.
The deputy chief of staff in the premier's office, Melissa Royle Critch, will replace Miles, the premier confirmed.
Miles' departure comes as the House of Assembly is set to resume proceedings on Monday for a fall sitting, and with the governing Liberals three-plus years into a mandate.
Miles has worked in the premier's office for the past nine years, including four years as a deputy chief of staff under former premier Dwight Ball. He became chief of staff when Furey took over as premier in August 2020.
When reached Friday, Ball described Miles as "capable and trustworthy" and calm under pressure.
"Even when the weight of the province was on his shoulders, the pressure never showed in his demeanour," Ball said during a telephone interview.
Furey said Miles was "there through the pandemic and every challenge we faced along the way. Always calm under immense pressure, always the voice of reason."
Miles stands well over six feet tall, is often dressed in a black suit, and stands politely out of the spotlight when the premier speaks with reporters.
It's not clear what the future holds for Miles, but Ball said his background in politics and the environment will make him very employable.
Miles became a political staffer 14 years ago, when the Liberals were in opposition. He served a variety of roles, including researcher, communications and policy advisor before the Liberals took over the government in 2015.
As chief of staff, he earned more than $186,000 last year.
Meanwhile, Furey described Royle Critch as a "next level thinker and doer," and a "powerhouse on our team (who) does everything with an all-in passion and dedication to all things Newfoundland and Labrador."
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