Political staffers, aides, and “exempt staff” are too often maligned in Canadian politics. Neither elected nor independently hired on merit, and with salaries paid by government revenues, they have exclusive access to elected officials at the very heart of decision-making. Despite their reputation as shadowy figures wielding undue power, in reality, staffers perform a plethora of crucial tasks: from coordinating and ensuring delivery on electoral mandates and advising politicians, to communicating political decisions and engaging with stakeholders.