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Earl Provost, Rob Ford’s ex chief of staff, joins Ontario Liberals

Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford’s ex-chief of staff has a new job with the Ontario Liberals.

Earl Provost was named the new executive director of the Ontario Liberal Party on Thursday.

"Earl is a strong, lifelong Liberal and veteran of countless campaigns," said party president Siloni Waraich in a news release, noting Provost has been involved with the party since he was 14 years old.

"Our party will be well-placed to build on our success with the benefit of Earl’s considerable knowledge and experience, allowing us to continue to advance our agenda for progress."

Provost worked on Ford’s campaign team and later in the mayor’s office as director of stakeholder and councillor relations. He was named chief of staff in the summer of 2012 and proceeded to work alongside Ford through the height of the crack scandal.

In one high-profile incident, city documents show Ford yelled and swore at Provost on St. Patrick’s Day, when the mayor returned to city hall at 2 a.m. to continue drinking.

Provost was one of the 11 of 20 staffers to leave Ford’s office to work for then deputy mayor Norm Kelly in November of 2013, after council voted to strip Ford of his powers.

The Liberal party said Provost will be "deeply involved" in the its strategic planning and operations.

Provost studied political science at York University and George Washington University in Washington, D.C.