The Toronto Sun’s loss is the province’s gain.

James Wallace, vice-president of editorial and champion of Sun news brands, has accepted the position of deputy chief of staff and policy for Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government.

Known in the news room as Jamie, he has been with Postmedia since 2008.

Prior to being the Sun’s top executive, Wallace was editor-in-chief of Postmedia Editorial Services and was a Queen’s Park columnist for Osprey Media from 2003 to 2008. He began his career as a reporter for the Toronto Sun 30 years ago.

“The first time I walked through the doors of the Toronto Sun, way, way back in 1989, I thought I was the luckiest kid from my journalism class. Turns out I was right,” Wallace wrote in a message to Sun staff Friday. “It’s been my greatest privilege and honour to have been part of the Sun family and I’m immensely proud of the work we’ve done together through often difficult, extraordinary but fascinating times.”

“I’m immensely appreciative of the help I’ve received from so many (at the Sun) and remain in awe of the work ethic and talent in sports, news, our overburdened desk and national team,” he added.

Wallace’s style, enthusiasm and grit will be missed by his colleagues daily.

“Jamie has been a mentor, a friend and the biggest champion of the Toronto Sun,” the Sun’s Editor-in-Chief Adrienne Batra said. “His presence and leadership will be missed in our newsroom.”

“He helped shape our paper to be the voice for those who have felt they didn’t have a say,” she said. “It is befitting he is going to Queen’s Park to be part of a government that is solely focused on that. Truly, our loss is the province’s gain.”

Wallace’s new role was announced to the Progressive Conservative team at Queen’s Park on Friday by a memo.

“I am pleased to announce that James Wallace will be joining the Premier’s Office as Deputy Chief of Staff,” wrote Dean French, the party’s Chief of Staff.

“The Premier has known James for many years and we both have a great deal of respect for him. He will be a fantastic addition to our team. Please join me in welcoming James to Queen’s Park.”

kconnor@postmedia.com