Category: CPA Activities
The Canadian Scene
The Canadian Scene
New Clerk of the House of Commons
On December 18, 2023, Eric Janse was appointed the new Clerk of the House of Commons. Mr. Janse had been serving as Acting Clerk since February 2023, following the retirement of former Clerk Charles Robert.
Of the appointment, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “Mr. Janse is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record of providing reliable, non-partisan advice. I am confident that he will continue to be a valuable asset in helping uphold the integrity of the House of Commons and ensuring the efficiency of its proceedings.”
The Canadian Scene
The Canadian Scene
New House of Commons Speaker
Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull- Aylmer, was elected as the new Speaker of the House of Commons on October 3, 2023. Replacing outgoing Speaker Anthony Rota, Speaker Fergus becomes the 38th Speaker and the first Black Canadian to serve in the position. He defeated six other challengers, including Chris d’Entremont, Carol Hughes, Alexandra Mendes, Sean Casey, Elizabeth May, and Peter Schiefke.
Since his first election as a Liberal MP in 2015, Speaker Fergus has served on several parliamentary committees and as Parliamentary Secretary to a number of cabinet ministers including the President of the Treasury Board and the Minister of Health. One of the Directors of the Canada-Africa P a r l i a m e n ta r y Association, Speaker Fergus also founded the Parliamentary Black Caucus and served as its co-chair for six years.
The Canadian Scene
The Canadian Scene
59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Canadian Regional Conference
From July 22-29, 2023, 61 delegates and a dozen other accompanying persons attended the 59th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Canadian Regional Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference
The Canadian Scene
The Canadian Scene
New PEI Speaker
On May 12, 2023, Darlene Compton, MLA for Belfast – Murray River, was elected as the new Speaker for P.E.I.’s legislative assembly. The 69th Speaker in the province’s history (pre- and post-Confederation), she is also the sixth woman to hold the position. Speaker Compton replaces Colin LaVie, former MLA for Souris-Elmira, who did not reoffer in the recent general election.
PEI Premier Dennis King said the new Speaker “has a strong rapport with all members of the house, is a strong supporter of good governance and respects the role of the legislative branch of government.” Premier Dennis King said in a statement.
The Canadian Scene
The Canadian Scene
New Clerk in Saskatchewan
After almost 36 years of service as a Table Officer, Greg A. Putz retired as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan on January 1, 2023.
Continue reading “The Canadian Scene”The Canadian Scene
The Canadian Scene
New President of the National Assembly
Montarville MNA Nathalie Roy was acclaimed as the new President of the National Assembly on November 30, 2022. Replacing outgoing President François Paradis, Ms. Roy becomes only the second woman to serve in the position in nearly 230 years of parliamentarianism.
Continue reading “The Canadian Scene”The Canadian Region
The Canadian Region
The 58th Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association – Canadian Regional Conference
Continue reading “The Canadian Region”CPA Activities
CPA Activities
New Nova Scotia Speaker
Victoria-The Lakes MLA Keith Bain was elected Speaker of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly on September 24. The long-time Progressive Conservative MLA, who was nominated by Premier Tim Houston, defeated New Democratic MLA Lisa Lachance. The vote took longer than usual as MLAs present lined up in groups to cast ballots in recognition of COVID-19 restrictions.
Continue reading “CPA Activities”New Nunavut Speaker
New Nunavut Speaker
On September 9, Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly elected Allan Rumbolt as its new Speaker. Speaker Rumbolt, who had been previously served as Deputy Speaker, replaced Paul Quassa. Mr. Quassa resigned as Speaker and MLA for Aggu on August 13.
First elected as MLA for Hudson Bay in 2008, Speaker Rumbolt won re-election in 2013 and 2017. In addition to his time as Deputy Speaker, he served as the co-chair of the Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Government Estimates and Operations and as a member of the Management and Services Board.