Patrick Muttart (born February 17, 1972) is a Canadian political strategist and business executive based in the Philippines. He was one of the key operatives behind the Conservative Party of Canada and former Prime Minister Stephen Harper's rise to power.Paul Wells, "The Untold Story: Inside an Epic Battle". Macleans. 2006-02-06. In recent years he has worked across Asia-Pacific for Philip Morris International.
Career Muttart entered conservative politics after working for the public relations firm Navigator Ltd, and he is considered a major figure behind Stephen Harper's victory in the 2006 Canadian federal election. Harper's deputy chief of staff Muttart played a major role shaping the Conservative Government's policy agenda and communications strategy. He was the architect of Conservative Party ad campaigns targeting former Liberal Party of Canada leaders Stephane DionLawrence Martin, "Harperland", p.93. and Michael Ignatieff. Muttart left Harper's office in 2009. He continues to comment on current events.Jane Taber, "Harper spins a new brand of patriotism". Globe and Mail. 2011-09-07. http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-spins-a-new-brand-of-patriotism/article2135876/
At the provincial level in Canada Muttart has worked for Saskatchewan Party and Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario candidates. Outside North America he has campaigned for the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia.Aaron Wherry, "Harper's 12". Macleans. 2008-02-04. He is considered an expert on the behaviour and attitudes of working class voters in English-speaking countries.Henry Olsen, "Day of the Democratic Dead". National Review Online. 2010-11-01. http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/251670/day-democratic-dead-henry-olsen?page=1 Muttart's collaboration with centre-right parties has been cited as an example of global knowledge transfer between conservative campaign officials.Jennifer Lees-Marshment, "Political Marketing: Principles and Applications". p.241
Philip Morris International At Philip Morris International Muttart has publicly advocated for the company's "smoke-free" transformation which includes converting smokers to electronic cigarettes and other non burning tobacco products. He told Australia's ABC: "If I was working for a company or industry that was free of controversy, I think I'd be bored."
Criticism from the left New Democratic Party strategist Brian Topp, a former union official, has accused Muttart of advocating strategies that manipulate working class voters into voting against their own economic and social best interests.Brian Topp, "Don Cherry, the eye-opener". Globe and Mail. 2010-12-10. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/second-reading/brian-topp/don-cherry-the-eye-opener/article1833209/page1/
2011 campaign controversy During the final week of the 2011 Canadian election, Pierre Karl Péladeau, CEO of Sun Media Corporation who would later become leader of the Parti Québécois, accused Muttart of attempting to undermine Sun Media by giving a fake photograph of Ignatieff to a Sun executive.Pierre-Karl Peladeau, "All's not fair in war". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/26/alls-not-fair-in-war Mercury LLC, Muttart's employer, called Peladeau's assertion "false and downright bizarre". The Conservative campaign denied Muttart had behaved improperly but distanced itself from the controversy by announcing Muttart would have "no further role" in the election. Muttart was reportedly furious.Tonda MacCharles and Robert Benzie, "Dismissed Tory insider reportedly 'furious' after Sun debacle". Toronto Star. 2011-04-28. http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/harper-spins-a-new-brand-of-patriotism/article2135876/?
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