VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – New Democrats are criticizing Premier Christy Clark’s decision to hire a new communications director – Ben Chin.
      
Caucus chairman Shane Simpson says Clark continues to hire more staff for her office despite a government hiring freeze.
     
Simpson points out the announcement comes just days after Clark pledged restraint at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

“I don’t buy the line that it’s just replacing people. This is a problem, and either we have a tough financial situation. There is going to be belt tightening, there is going to be hiring freezes and it affects everybody, or else it doesn’t.”

Chin, a former aide to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, replaces Clark’s previous communications director, Sara MacIntyre.