Last Updated: Thursday, September 3, 2009 | 12:51 PM ET Comments8Recommend4

The Canadian Press

The federal government has named a top Conservative fundraiser to the Toronto Port Authority's board of directors — the latest in a series of what critics call blatant patronage appointments.

Robert Poirier, who has raised thousands of dollars for the Conservative party since 2005, was appointed to the post for a three-year term.

Liberal Treasury Board critic Dan McTeague says the job, announced by Transport Minister John Baird, could pay up to $50,000.

Poirier hosted a $1,100-a-plate fundraiser with Industry Minister Tony Clement at Toronto's posh Albany Club in January.

The Tories made at least 20 appointments in August involving donors and supporters of the federal or provincial Conservative parties and another handful of Senate seats went to party insiders.

McTeague called Prime Minister Stephen Harper's patronage "a slap in the face to Canadians" after the Tory leader campaigned on a promise to end the practice.

"Clearly this is another promise broken for the government," McTeague said in a statement. "Stephen Harper has done everything that he once criticized."