They may not be getting Senate seats. But a number of Grit apparatchiks are being rewarded with staff positions for their work during the federal election, confirm three party members. At the top of the appointment list: unsuccessful Burnaby-Douglas candidate Billy Cunningham, the president of the federal Liberals in British Columbia. Mr. Cunningham, a client relations manager with the Toronto Dominion Bank, is set to become a senior advisor at the minister's regional office. He is close friends with Martinite boss Mark Marissen, drinking buddies with Liberal political hitman Erik Bornman and had a previous relationship with national campaign director Michele Cadario.

Adam Johnson, David Emerson's campaign manager will also be receiving an appointment - but not the one he wanted. Mr. Johnson, a Hill & Knowlton, Inc. lobbyist, reportedly applied to become the industry minister's chief of staff. But rumour has it higher powers decided he didn't have enough experience for the job. Instead, Mr. Johnson, who also managed Vancouver Centre MP Hedy Fry's successful (and allegedly corrupt) nomination campaign, will be heading up Mr. Emerson's western desk. Mr. Johnson's clients at Hill & Knowlton include Cisco Systems Inc., Via Rail Canada Inc., Cap Gemini Ernst & Young LLP, INTRIA Items Inc., Petro Canada Inc., Bell Canada Inc. and the Lower Columbia Community Development Team.

His colleague, Hill & Knowlton senior consultant Dale Flood, will be joining Mr. Cunningham at the minister's regional office. Mr. Flood is currently the party's executive director in British Columbia. His clients at Hill & Knowlton include Via Rail, the British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association, the Coalition for Healthcare Options and MDS Metro Laboratory Services. The lobby firm's British Columbia office was run by Bruce Young until he left to become the senior special advisor (British Columbia) for the prime minister's office.