MPs vote to elect Francis Scarpaleggia as House Speaker
Being elected Speaker comes with perks
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OTTAWA — Francis Scarpaleggia has been elected the new Speaker of the House of Commons.
The Liberal MP from Lac-Saint-Louis was elected to the role Monday morning, defeating incumbent Speaker Greg Fergus.
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The election was the first order of business as Parliamentarians gathered in West Block for the beginning of an abbreviated spring House of Commons session.
The process was overseen by the Dean of the House of Commons, the longest-serving member of the House — and that’s Bloc Quebecois MP Louis Plamondon, whose 40 years as an MP make him the longest-serving undefeated Member of Parliament in Canadian history.
Each candidate gave a five-minute campaign speech to their fellow members, then the members voted for their choice via secret ballot.
Both Conservative candidates — John Nater and Chris d’Entremont — withdrew their names before voting took place, meaning there wouldn’t be any non-Liberals serving as deputy Speaker during this session.
During the last session, d’Entremont and former NDP MP Carol Hughes served as deputy Speakers.
Other MPs who vied for the coveted role were Sean Casey, Alexandra Mendes, Rob Oliphant, and Sherry Romanado.
All sitting MPs, with the exception of cabinet ministers and party leaders, may run for Speaker.
Being elected Speaker comes with perks — aside from the $99,000 raise on top of an MP’s $209,800 base salary, they’re also entitled to live at The Farm, the Speaker’s official residence in Kingsmere, Que., in Gatineau Park, a 30-minute drive to the House of Commons.
The Speaker also has access to an apartment in Centre Block.
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