Anthony Rota re-elected as Commons Speaker
7 MPs were vying to sit in Speaker's chair
Liberal MP Anthony Rota was re-elected Speaker of the House of Commons today. He'll preside over a Parliament that looks very similar to the one he left behind to run for his seat in the federal election.
Rota beat out six other candidates in this morning's vote, including Green Party parliamentary leader Elizabeth May.
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Leader of the Opposition Erin O'Toole — following tradition — jokingly dragged Rota to the Speaker's chair, the Ontario MP thanked his colleagues for choosing him to be the House's peacekeeper.
"Thank you again for the confidence that you have placed in me as Speaker for a second term ... I know this is something I know I will treasure for the rest of my life," he said, promising to be "fair and respectful."
"I guess one of the good things about being Speaker is I probably upset both sides equally, so I appreciate you working this out," he said.
Six other MPs ran for the Speaker's post: three Conservatives, one Liberal, one New Democrat and one Green.
Watch: Anthony Rota re-elected as House of Commons Speaker:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the congratulatory speeches, thanking Rota and the other six candidates for running.
"There will be moments when we will get caught up in heated debate and when that happens we will have you, Mr. Speaker, to guide us back on track," Trudeau said.
"This is a historic moment of change and opportunity for our country, Mr Speaker. I know you will help us rise to meet it."
Opposition leaders
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole congratulated Rota, saying that while Canadians often feel disconnected from what happens in the House of Commons, Rota was able to ensure they felt they were part of it during the pandemic.
"This is the people's House and too often ... they often feel left out of these debates," O'Toole said.
"You've been able to preside through a difficult time of our pandemic, making sure our democracy, the light of our democracy, did not flicker."
Speaking in French, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said Rota's re-election as Speaker is a testament to the quality of the work he did sitting in the chair during the last Parliament.
Blanchet also used the opportunity to demand that all MPs in the House be fully vaccinated unless they have a valid medical reason to avoid vaccination.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also congratulated the Speaker on his win.
Watch: Trudeau reacts to the re-election of Rota as Speaker of the House of Commons:
"I thank you for all of your work as Speaker during the previous Parliament, and as the Bloc leader said, the fact that you have been re-elected demonstrates that you have the trust and confidence of this House. Congratulations," he said.
"We can get back to work, to work on the things that Canadians need us to work on."
The Speaker's position comes with considerable perks, including an $88,700 top-up to an MP's $185,800 salary and an additional $1,000 annual car allowance.
It also comes with an apartment on Parliament Hill, an official residence at Kingsmere in Chelsea, Que., and an office budget of $1.26 million that includes up to $201,808 for hospitality.
The Speaker is provided with a beautiful five-bedroom country home in the Gatineau Hills north of the capital.
Officially known as The Farm, the Speaker's home comes with a housekeeper, gardeners, maintenance crews, caterers for large feasts and five outbuildings.
CBC News will have live coverage of Tuesday's Speech from the Throne delivered by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. Here's how to follow:
-
CBC's Chief Political Correspondent Rosemary Barton will host a CBC News Live Special beginning at noon ET on CBC News Network and CBC Television. You can also stream it on CBC Gem or the CBC News app.
-
Susan Bonner and Chris Hall will host the CBC Radio One and CBC Listen special beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
-
CBCNews.ca will carry the events live and have regular news updates.
