Pierre Poilievre's communications director stepping down
· Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — Pierre Poilievre’s communications director is stepping aside.
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Katy Merrifield, who has been the director of communications for the Opposition Leader’s Office (OLO) for the past year, announced this week would be her last in the role with her last day of work being Friday.
Merrifield began her job shortly after the 2025 federal election, taking over for former communications director Ben Woodfinden, who had served in the position since 2022.
She previously served as the British Columbia head of Poilievre’s leadership campaign team in 2022, was executive communications and planning director to former Alberta premier Jason Kenney and from 2016 to 2017 headed communications for former B.C. premier Christy Clark.
Merrifield joined at challenging time
Merrifield assumed her role shortly after the 2025 federal election, a heartbreaking loss for the Conservatives that saw the party narrowly miss forming government and their leader lose his seat.
The Conservatives surged in popularity as the Justin Trudeau government imploded on itself, riding high in the polls amidst widely held assumptions that the Tories would easily form the next government.
Trudeau’s resignation was followed by the party choosing Mark Carney as their new leader — a political outsider without a seat who would become the face of a stunning Liberal comeback that saw Tory hopes of forming government dashed at the ballot boxes.
While Poilievre managed to win a seat in a byelection and re-enter the House of Commons, the party has been challenged in recent months with a stream of floor-crossers with Sarnia—Lambton—Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu leaving the party for the Liberals on Wednesday.
Communications manager Micah Green will replace Merrifield, while media relations manager Sam Lilly will become the OLO’s new director of media relations.
Merrifield’s departure comes nearly a year after former media relations director Sebastian Skamski left the party.
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Tory caucus members sing praises
Conservative party caucus members had nothing but praise for Merrifield, telling the Toronto Sun she did an excellent job in difficult circumstances.
She garnered plaudits for positive adjustments to the Opposition leader’s media strategy, including opening new venues for Poilievre to spread his party’s message, as well as showcasing more MPs on different media outlets.
Deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman described Merrifield as smart and funny — and said she has nothing but great things to say about her.
“(Merrifield) is relentless dedicated in a business that can grind that out of you fast,” she told the Sun.
“I’m proud to know her and excited for what she does next.”
— With files from The Canadian Press