Earlier, we reported Ray & Berndtson/Tanton Mitchell Inc., an executive search firm with ties to the provincial Liberals, had been chosen (following a competitive bid process) to assist in the hiring of the province's new auditor general. Those connections include donating time and money to the party. But it's also worth noting a managing partner in the firm's Vancouver office - Kyle Mitchell - was one Premier Gordon Campbell's lukewarm roasters at an event held just before the last election. According to The Province's Ian Austin, Mr. Mitchell joked with the audience "he'd been searching far and wide for new star candidates, and had come up with a few would-be cabinet ministers - Minister of Labour Trevor Linden, Minister of Communication Rafe Mair, Minister of International Trade Brian Burke and Minister of Social Services Jim Pattison."