Updated: 11/18/08
Election of the Speaker of the House of Commons
The first order of business for members of parliament as the 40th Parliament of Canada opened on November 18, 2008 was to elect a Speaker of the House of Commons. Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons since 2001, was re-elected for a fourth term. His victory wasn't as easy as in earlier parliaments when he faced few if any challengers. This time he had to defeat seven other MPs vying for the post and survive five secret ballots before he won.
The job of Speaker of the House of Commons brings an extra $74,400 in salary in addition to $155,400 as a member of parliament, use of the Kingsmere estate in the Gatineau Hills, an apartment behind the House of Commons chamber, a large hospitality budget and a car and driver.
About Peter Milliken
Peter Milliken, the Liberal member of parliament for the Ontario riding of Kingston and the Islands, is a lawyer, and was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988. Peter Milliken is skilled with procedural issues, and his experience is especially important with a minority government.
The Speaker of the House of Commons requires a thorough knowledge of the rules of parliamentary procedure, respect for the traditions of parliament and sensitivity to the mood of members of parliament. In addition to seven years experience as Speaker, Peter Milliken's parliamentary experience includes two years as parliamentary secretary to the Government House Leader, and more than three years as Deputy Speaker.
While there was general acknowledgement that Peter Milliken is knowledgeable about parliamentary procedure, some MPs felt that the House of Commons has grown too raucous and unruly and that Milliken is soft on enforcing the rules. In his speech before the voting began, Milliken pointed out that some of the rowdiness in the House of Commons in recent years is just the nature of a minority government. "In my view, no amount of interference or chastisement of members will impose order that does not exist unless the members themselves wish to have order in the House," he said.
Role of the Speaker of the House of Commons
The main role of the Speaker of the House of Commons is to maintain order in debates in the House of Commons, and to apply and interpret the myriad of rules, traditions and practices of the House. The Speaker relies on the Standing Orders of the House, and also has the help of the Clerk of the House, the Speaker's main adviser, and the table officers, who provide procedural advice.
The Speaker also acts as the official spokesman for the House of Commons in its dealings with the Crown (Queen and Governor General), with the Senate and with authorities outside Parliament. The Speaker's responsibilities include extensive administrative duties in relation to running parliament and he chairs the powerful Board of Internal Economy.
First Female Speaker of the House of Commons
There has only been one female speaker in the House of Commons, the Hon. Jeanne Sauvé. Jeanne Sauvé was Speaker of the House of Commons from 1980 to 1984, and also served as Governor General of Canada from 1984 to 1990.
