Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at the Liberal Party convention in April. Sources say Jessica Cardill is succeeding Azam Ishmael as the party's national director.Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press
The federal Liberal Party has appointed a new national director after a months-long search, according to three sources with knowledge of the decision.
The sources said lawyer Jessica Cardill was awarded the job. It will be formally announced on Thursday, and the Liberal Party’s national board of directors ratified the appointment on Wednesday, one of the sources said.
The Globe and Mail is not identifying the sources, who were not permitted to disclose the still-private decision.
Ms. Cardill is a well-known fixture in the party and is returning to the organization after a brief stint in the private sector. She is coming back at a high point in the political cycle, with Prime Minister Mark Carney enjoying a sustained honeymoon with voters and opposition parties on their back foot.
A press release obtained by The Globe describes her as an experienced leader in political operations, governance and campaign readiness. Ms. Cardill is replacing Azam Ishmael, who left the post in May to join the Canadian Medical Association.
“Jessica brings the vision and experience we need to build a stronger, more effective organization,” party president Sachit Mehra is quoted saying in the press release.
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Ms. Cardill previously worked in the senior ranks of the Liberal Party for more than five years. Beginning in 2020, she served as the party’s in-house legal counsel, first as a director and then as a senior director.
She left the party last year to join Barrack Hill Public Affairs as the firm’s vice-president of government relations and general counsel.
In that post she was a registered lobbyist for a range of companies, including pharmaceutical company Moderna, defence technology company Dominion Dynamics and a range of energy firms and not-for-profits.
In explaining her return to the party, Ms. Cardill said she is committed to helping the Liberal organization grow.
“Together, we will ensure our teams have the support and organization they need to continue earning Canadians’ trust and help Mark Carney and our Liberal team deliver the serious leadership and results this crucial moment demands,” she said in the press release.
In a statement on behalf of her former firm, Barrack Hill principal and founding partner Stevie O’Brien said they are “incredibly proud” of her appointment.
“Her talent, professionalism and commitment have been tremendous assets to our firm, and we are excited to see her take on this important national role.”
Several senior staff from Mr. Carney’s government were also in the running for the party posts, according to two of the sources.
One of the sources said the decision to instead select Ms. Cardill suggests the Liberals are not in a general election mindset. They noted that her expertise is more related to compliance and regulations than being a political operative.
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In her previous tenure, Ms. Cardill helped guide the party through the low end of the political cycle, with then prime minister Justin Trudeau experiencing a sustained slide in popularity.
The party is now in a position of strength, but Ms. Cardill will be immediately tested by three by-elections called for Aug. 31 and several more expected later this year.
The role of national director is pivotal for the party’s “well-being and operations,” Marci Surkes, a former executive director in Mr. Trudeau’s office, said.
“The Liberal Party in 2026 is Mr. Carney’s Party,” said Ms. Surkes, who is now the chief strategy officer and managing director at the public affairs agency Compass Rose.
“Hiring a new national director allows the leader the opportunity to shape how the party functions, just as he continues to reshape the way the Liberal government works.”
She said the national director doesn’t need to be a political operative, but they do need to “understand the core business of Liberal Party of Canada, which is to win seats in the House of Commons while retaining a laser-like focus on fundraising.”
Ms. Surkes said the party is facing three must-win by-elections, which she said brought added urgency to the search for a new national director.
She noted that winning the by-elections will determine whether the Liberals continue to enjoy a majority in the House of Commons.