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Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons

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	Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
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	Topics Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons Topic Home In CanadaCanada Summary Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America.... the SpeakerSpeaker (politics) The term speaker is usually the title given to the presiding officer of a state's lower house in a bicameral parliament or c... of the House of CommonsCanadian House of Commons The House of Commons is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate.... is the presiding officer of the lower houseLower house A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.... and is elected at the beginning of each new parliament by fellow MPs. The Speaker's role in Canada is similar to that of Speakers elsewhere in other countries that use the Westminster systemWestminster System Overview The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after that of the United Kingdom system, ... (see Speaker of the House of CommonsSpeaker of the House of Commons Speaker of the House of Commons can refer to:... ). The current Speaker is OntarioOntario Ontario is the most populous and second-largest in area of Canada's ten provinces.... LiberalLiberal Party of Canada Summary The Liberal Party of Canada, colloquially known as the Grits, is a Canadian federal political party positioned around ... MP Peter MillikenPeter Milliken Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken, MP, BA , MA , LL.B is a Canadian lawyer and politician.... . The longest-serving occupant of the office was Lucien LamoureuxLucien Lamoureux Lucien Lamoureux, PC , OC was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1966 to 1974.... who served for eight years, nine months and eleven days. The Job In Canada it is the Speaker's responsibility to manage the House of Commons and supervise its staff. It is also the Speaker's duty to act as a liaison with the SenateCanadian Senate The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the House of Commons.... and the Crown. The Speaker of the House of Commons receives a salary of about $209,000 CAD and has use of the official residence, the KingsmereThe Farm (Canada) The Farm is the official residence of the Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons.... estate outside Gatineau, Quebec, across the river from OttawaOttawa Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and the country's fourth largest city.... . Election While the Constitution requires that the Speaker be elected by the House of Commons, traditionally this amounted to the rubber-stamp approval of a Member nominated by the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Canada The Prime Minister of Canada , is the head of the Government of Canada.... . However, in 1986 this was changed and they are now selected by secret ballotSecret ballot The secret ballot is a voting method in which a voter's choices are confidential.... . The Speaker remains a sitting MP, but only votes on matters in the case of a tie. All MPs except for Cabinet ministers and party leaders are eligible to run for the Speakership. Any MP who does not wish to put his or her name forward must issue a letter withdrawing from the ballot by the day before the vote. All MPs who do not remove their name from the ballot as of 6pm the day before the election are listed as candidates on the ballot and are allowed a five minute speech to persuade their colleagues as to why they should be elected. The election is presided over by the Dean of the HouseDean of the House (Canada) In Canada, the Dean of the House is the Member of the House of Commons with the longest unbroken record of service who is no... , currently Bill BlaikieBill Blaikie Rev. William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC, M.Div, BA is a Canadian politician and deputy leader of the social-democratic New... , who is the longest continuously serving MP who is not in Cabinet. All candidates who receive less than 5% of the vote are removed from the ballot. If no candidate received less than 5% of the vote then the MP with the fewest vote drops off. This continues, with a one hour break between ballots, until one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote. The winner is escorted to the Speaker's chair by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Official Opposition. The newly elected Speaker, by tradition, feigns reluctance as he or she is "dragged" to the chair in a practice dating from the days when British Speakers risked execution if the news they reported to the King was displeasing. There were three candidates for the position at the beginning of the current parliament, Milliken who was seeking re-election and Liberal MPs Marcel ProulxMarcel Proulx Marcel Proulx is a Canadian politician.... and Diane MarleauDiane Marleau Diane Marleau, PC , MP is a Canadian politician and former Cabinet minister.... . Milliken won on the first ballot. British Tradition Speaker Lucien LamoureuxLucien Lamoureux Overview Lucien Lamoureux, PC , OC was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1966 to 1974.... decided to follow the custom of the Speaker of the British House of CommonsSpeaker of the British House of Commons Overview In the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, and is seen his... and stood in the 1968 electionCanadian federal election, 1968 The Canadian federal election of 1968 was held on June 25, 1968, to elect members of the 28th Parliament of the Canadian Hou... as an Independent. Both the Liberal Party and the Progressive Conservative PartyProgressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian centre-right conservative political party.... agreed not to run candidates against him. The New Democratic PartyNew Democratic Party The New Democratic Party is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy that contests elections at both... , however, declined to withdraw their candidate. Lamoureux was re-elected and continued to serve as Speaker. However, in the 1972 electionCanadian federal election, 1972 \|align="center"\|Dissolution\|align="center"\|Elected... , the opposition parties did not come to an agreement and ran candidates against him. Lamoureux was again returned but future Speakers would not repeat his attempt to run as an Independent. As the election produced a minority government for the Liberals who had only two more seats than the Conservatives, the closeness of it was perhaps the reason why the opposition parties would choose not to follow such a precedent. Opposition Speakers The Speaker usually comes from among MPs of the governing party. However, when there has been a minority governmentMinority government A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when the governing political... Speakers have occasionally been members of opposition parties such as during the 1926 tenure of Arthur MeighenArthur Meighen Arthur Meighen, PC , QC , BA , LL.D was the ninth Prime Minister of Canada from July 10, 1920, to December 29, 1921, and Ju... 's Conservative ministry, during the 1979 ministry of Progressive Conservative Joe ClarkJoe Clark Charles Joseph "Joe" Clark, PC, CC, AOE, MA, LLD was the sixteenth prime minister of Canada from June 4, 1979, to March 3, ... . In the present 39th Parliament39th Canadian Parliament The 39th Canadian Parliament was elected on January 23, 2006, in the 39th federal election.... of Conservative Stephen HarperStephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.... , three opposition members, Peter MillikenPeter Milliken Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken, MP, BA , MA , LL.B is a Canadian lawyer and politician.... , Diane MarleauFacts About Diane Marleau Diane Marleau, PC , MP is a Canadian politician and former Cabinet minister.... and Marcel ProulxMarcel Proulx Summary Marcel Proulx is a Canadian politician.... , ran for Speaker. So far, every Speaker from an opposition party has been a Liberal. The speaker, according to the constitution, cannot vote unless his or her vote would break a tie, in which case convention dictates that he or she must vote so as to maintain the status quo. Because of this, the minority government can slightly weaken the opposition's power by electing an opposition speaker. In 1957, when John George Diefenbaker took power with a minority Progressive Conservative government, he offered the Speaker's chair to Stanley KnowlesStanley Knowles Stanley Howard Knowles, PC , OC , BA , BD , LL.D was a Canadian parliamentarian.... of the opposition Co-operative Commonwealth FederationCo-operative Commonwealth Federation Overview The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation was a Canadian political party founded in 1932 in Calgary, Alberta, by a number of ... (the precursor to the NDPFacts About New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party is a political party in Canada with a social democratic philosophy that contests elections at both... ), who declined the appointment. Deputy Speaker In addition to the Speaker, Deputy Speakers are nominated to act on behalf of the Speaker when he or she is unavailable. From the Speaker of the House of Commons website: The primary roles of the Deputy Speaker and the other Presiding Officers are to support the Speaker in the Chamber in presiding over the business of the House, to take the Chair when the House sits as a Committee of the Whole and, on occasion, to chair legislative committees. In addition, the Deputy Speaker has certain administrative responsibilities. The Deputy Speaker usually serves on the Board of Internal Economy and is a member of the Executive Committee. When the House forms itself into a Committee of the Whole, it is the duty of the Chairman of Committees of the Whole to take the Chair. The Deputy Speaker in the 39th Parliament is Bill BlaikieBill Blaikie Rev. William Alexander "Bill" Blaikie, PC, M.Div, BA is a Canadian politician and deputy leader of the social-democratic New... , and the other two presiding officers are Royal GalipeauRoyal Galipeau Royal N. Galipeau is a businessman and civil servant in Ottawa, Canada.... and Andrew ScheerAndrew Scheer Andrew Scheer is a Canadian Member of Parliament.... . The Deputy Speaker is named for the duration of a parliament, while the other presiding officers are named for the duration of a session only. Other deputy speakers include: Armand Renaud LavergneArmand Renaud Lavergne Summary Armand Renaud Lavergne was a Quebec lawyer, journalist and political figure.... 1930-1935 Conservative List of Speakers of the House of Commons James CockburnJames Cockburn James Cockburn, QC was a Canadian Conservative politician, and a father of Canadian Confederation.... - November 6, 1867 - March 5, 1874 Conservative Timothy Warren Anglin - March 26, 1874 - February 12, 1879 Liberal Joseph Godéric Blanchet - February 13, 1879 - February 7, 1883 Liberal-Conservative George Airey KirkpatrickGeorge Airey Kirkpatrick Sir George Airey Kirkpatrick, PC , KCMG , QC was a politician from Ontario, Canada.... - February 8, 1883 - July 12, 1887 Conservative Joseph-Aldéric Ouimet - July 13, 1887 - July 28, 1891 Conservative Peter WhitePeter White Peter White, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian.... - July 29, 1891 - August 18, 1896 Conservative James David EdgarJames David Edgar Sir James David Edgar, PC, KCMG was a Canadian politician.... - August 19, 1896 - July 31, 1899 Liberal Thomas BainThomas Bain Thomas Bain was a Canadian parliamentarian.... - August 1, 1899 - February 5, 1901 Liberal Louis Philippe Brodeur - February 6, 1901 - January 18, 1904 Liberal Napoléon Antoine Belcourt - March 10, 1904 - January 10, 1905 Liberal Robert Franklin SutherlandFacts About Robert Franklin Sutherland Robert Franklin Sutherland, PC was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1905 to 1909.... - January 11, 1905 - January 19, 1909 Liberal Charles MarcilCharles Marcil Charles Marcil, PC was a long time member of the Canadian House of Commons and served as Speaker of the House from 1909 - 19... - January 20, 1909 - November 14, 1911 Liberal Thomas Simpson SprouleThomas Simpson Sproule Thomas Simpson Sproule was a Canadian parliamentarian and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1911 – 1915.... - November 15, 1911 - December 2, 1915 Conservative Albert SévignyAlbert Sévigny Albert Svigny, PC was a Canadian politician.... - January 12, 1916 - January 7, 1917 Conservative Edgar Nelson RhodesEdgar Nelson Rhodes Edgar Nelson Rhodes, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian from Nova Scotia.... - January 18, 1917 - March 5, 1922 Conservative Rodolphe LemieuxRodolphe Lemieux Rodolphe Lemieux, PC , FRSC was a Canadian parliamentarian and long time Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons.... - March 8, 1922 - June 2, 1930 Liberal George BlackGeorge Black George Black, PC was an administrator and politician in Yukon, Canada.... - September 8, 1930 - January 16, 1935 Conservative James Langstaff BowmanJames Langstaff Bowman James Langstaff Bowman, PC was the first Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from Manitoba.... - January 17, 1935 - February 5, 1936 Conservative Pierre-François CasgrainPierre-François Casgrain Pierre-Franois Casgrain was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1936 to 1940.... - February 6, 1936 - May 10, 1940 Liberal James Allison GlenJames Allison Glen Summary James Allison Glen, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1940 to 1945.... - May 16, 1940 - September 5, 1945 Liberal Gaspard FauteuxGaspard Fauteux Summary Gaspard Fauteux, PC was a Canadian parliamentarian, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons, and Lieutenant-Governor of Que... - September 6, 1945 - September 14, 1949 Liberal William Ross MacdonaldWilliam Ross Macdonald William Ross Macdonald, PC , OC , CD , QC, served as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1968 to 1974, and as Spea... - September 15, 1949 - June 11, 1953 Liberal Louis-René BeaudoinLouis-René Beaudoin Louis-Ren Beaudoin, PC was Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1953 to 1957.... - November 12, 1953 - October 13, 1957 Liberal Roland MichenerRoland Michener Daniel Roland Michener, PC , CC , CMM , CD , QC , LL.D was Governor General of Canada from 1967 to 1974.... - October 14, 1957 - September 26, 1962 Progressive Conservative Marcel LambertMarcel Lambert Summary Marcel Joseph Aim Lambert, PC , QC , B.Comm , BA , BCL , MA was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of C... - September 27, 1962 - May 15, 1963 Progressive Conservative Alan MacnaughtonAlan Macnaughton Summary Alan Aylesworth Macnaughton, PC, OC, QC, BCL, LL.D was a Canadian parliamentarian and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commo... - May 16, 1963 - January 17, 1966 Liberal Lucien LamoureuxLucien Lamoureux Lucien Lamoureux, PC , OC was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1966 to 1974.... - January 18, 1966 - September 29, 1974 Liberal/Independent++ James Alexander Jerome - September 30, 1974 - December 14, 1979 Liberal Jeanne SauvéJeanne Sauvé Jeanne Mathilde Sauv, PC, CC, CMM, CD, LL.D was a Canadian journalist, politician and stateswoman. ... - April 14, 1980 - January 15, 1984 Liberal Cyril Lloyd FrancisCyril Lloyd Francis Cyril Lloyd Francis, PC , Ph.D. , MA is a former Canadian politician and one time Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons.... - January 16, 1984 - November 4, 1984 Liberal John William Bosley - November 5, 1984 - September 29, 1986 Progressive Conservative John Allen Fraser - September 30, 1986 - January 16, 1994 Progressive Conservative Gilbert ParentGilbert Parent Summary Gilbert Parent, PC was a Canadian Member of Parliament.... - January 17, 1994 - January 28, 2001 Liberal Peter MillikenFacts About Peter Milliken Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken, MP, BA , MA , LL.B is a Canadian lawyer and politician.... - January 29, 2001 - present Liberal ++Lamoureaux emulated the tradition of the Speaker of the British House of CommonsSpeaker of the British House of Commons In the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, and is seen his... and ran for re-election as an Independent MPMember of Parliament Overview A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament.... in the 1968 and 1972 general elections. Counterparts The Speaker's counterpart in the upper house is the Speaker of the Canadian SenateSpeaker of the Canadian Senate The Speaker of the Senate of Canada is the presiding officer of the Senate of Canada.... . Canadian provincial and territorial legislatureLegislature A legislature is a type of representative deliberative assembly with the power to adopt laws.... s also have Speakers with much the same roles. Tie-Breaking Votes On Thursday, May 19, 2005, the Speaker was required to cast the tie-breaking vote during a confidence measure for the first time in Canadian history. Faced with the defeat of Paul MartinPaul Martin Paul Edgar Philippe Martin was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada and the former leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.... 's minority governmentMinority government A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when the governing political... , Milliken voted in favour of the NDP budget amendment. Despite popular belief that the speaker, as a Liberal MP, would automatically support the government, his vote was pre-determined by other factors. As speaker, Milliken's vote must be cast to allow the continuation of debate, or to maintain the status-quo. Thus, the Speaker voted in favour of second reading, "to allow the House time for further debate so that it can make its own decision at some future time." The bill would later pass third reading without the need for Milliken's vote. External links - contains biographies of all of Canada's speakers and information on the historical development and current role of the position.