The dean of the House of Commons, Bloc Québécois MP Louis Plamondon, is the new interim Speaker of the House of Commons until October 3.
The leader of the government in the House Karina Gould announced Tuesday evening that “after discussions between the parties”, the 80-year-old member for Bécancour – Nicolet – Saurel will take the place of the government as soon as Anthony Rota leaves the next day evening.
Even though Mr. Plamondon officially has the title of Speaker of the House of Commons in the interim, it is possible that the same vice-presidents will continue to sit in the high chair to moderate most debates. Conservative Chris d’Entremont chaired the question period on Tuesday.
Karina Gould at the same time indicated that Tuesday October 3 would be the date of the election of a new Speaker of the House of Commons. Candidates must be MPs who are neither party leaders nor ministers.
This vote is unusual, and allows MPs to rank their colleagues in order of preference in a secret preferential ballot. Its outcome is unpredictable, since the Liberal government is in a minority situation.
Disavowed by all parties in Ottawa, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, finally announced Tuesday that he was leaving his post. The Franco-Ontarian reiterated his “deep regrets” for having invited a former Nazi fighter during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to parliament.
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