Harper's new staffer to counter criticism

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new director of communications says he'll address criticism of him once he's started his job.

Angelo Persichilli, who starts next week as Harper's top communications adviser, isbeing criticized forsome of what he wroteabout Quebecwhen he was a columnist for the Toronto Star.

The former journalist, who was also political editor for an Italian-language newspaper and a commentator on Omni TV, is being called out for a column he wrote last year that took issue with the province's "annoying lament." He's also being criticized for not speaking French.

Spotted in downtown Ottawa Friday with Terry Guillon, thechief of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, Persichilli told CBC News he didn't have time for an interview.

"When I'm that position [of director of communications], definitely. I'm not.'Til Monday it's Dimitri Soudas, so you have to address all the questions to Dimitri," Persichilli said, referring to Harper's outgoing spokesman.

"I'm going to address the issue at the proper time," he added.

Politicians from Quebec are joining some media outlets in questioning Harper's choice of Persichilli.

The Parti Qubcois says Harper should distance himself from Persichilli's comments.

And NDP MP Romeo Saganash says hiring Persichilli shows the Tories have abandoned Quebec.

Passages fromPersichilli's Toronto Star columnfrom April 2010 were also splashed across the front page of the Montreal newspaperLe DevoirFriday.

Harper'spress spokesman, Andrew MacDougall, told CBC News that "the prime minister has been quite clear ... that Quebec will remain at the heart of our government."

"We will continue to practice open federalismtowards Quebec," MacDougall added.

Soudas released aletter late Friday to answercriticism earlier in the dayby a reporter from Le Devoir.

Speaking to Radio-Canada, Hlne Buzzetti said Harper doesn't have anyone in his office who speaks French or is a Quebecer.

Soudas'letter says that's not correct: MacDougall speaks French and Harper has a press secretary, Carl Valle,who is a Francophone Quebecer.