Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Encyclopedia
The Speaker
of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
is the presiding officer of the provincial legislature. Since 1990 the position has been elected by MPPs using a secret ballot. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed by the Premier of Ontario
after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
and the leader of the third party
and then ratified by the legislature. David Warner
was the first Speaker to be elected by his or her peers.
The Speaker is usually a member of the governing party. The only exceptions have been Jack Stokes
, Nelson Parliament
and Hugh Edighoffer
. Stokes was the NDP
MPP for Lake Nipigon, and was named Speaker by Progressive Conservative
Premier
Bill Davis
. Davis was elected to lead a minority government
and having an opposition MPP as Speaker was a means of denying the opposition one vote (as the Speaker only votes in the occasion of a tie and then must vote by precedent). Neson Parliament was a Liberal
who became Speaker when the United Farmers of Ontario
formed government as the entire UFO/Labour caucus were freshly elected with no legislative experience. As a result the Premier, E.C. Drury, looked to the opposition benches for a Speaker. Upon becoming Speaker, Parliament resigned from the Liberal caucus and sat without party affiliation. While this is the normal practice in the British House of Commons
, it is the only time it has happened in Ontario.
Hugh Edighoffer was elected Speaker following the 1985 provincial election
that returned a tenuous minority Progressive Conservative government under Frank Miller
. However, the opposition Liberals and NDP controlled the legislature and elected Edighoffer as Speaker at the beginning of the session. Days later, the Miller government was brought down by a Motion of Non-Confidence and, as a result of an accord between the Liberals and the NDP, Liberal leader David Peterson
was asked to form a government without the legislature being dissolved and a new election. Edighoffer, a Liberal MPP, remained Speaker for the duration of the Peterson government.
, Kevin Flynn
, Dave Levac
and David Zimmer
. A fifth candidate, Progressive Conservative MPP Frank Klees
withdrew after his bid failed to receive sufficient support from either side of the aisle.
David Zimmer dropped off after the first ballot. On the second ballot, Dave Levac was elected Speaker. The actual vote totals were not released.
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
is the presiding officer of the provincial legislature. Since 1990 the position has been elected by MPPs using a secret ballot. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed by the Premier of Ontario
Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Ontario)
The Leader of the Opposition in Ontario is usually leader of the largest party in the Ontario legislature which is not the government. The current official opposition is formed by the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, and Tim Hudak is the current Leader of the Opposition.Ontario's first...
and the leader of the third party
Third party (politics)
In a two-party system of politics, the term third party is sometimes applied to a party other than the two dominant ones. While technically the term is limited to the third largest party or third oldest party, it is common, though innumerate, shorthand for any smaller party.For instance, in the...
and then ratified by the legislature. David Warner
David William Warner
David William Warner is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on three separate occasions between 1975 and 1995, and served as Speaker of the Assembly during Bob Rae's administration.-Background:Warner worked as a...
was the first Speaker to be elected by his or her peers.
The Speaker is usually a member of the governing party. The only exceptions have been Jack Stokes
Jack Stokes
John Edward Stokes was a Canadian politician. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1967 to 1985, and was Speaker of the legislature from 1977 to 1981. Stokes was a member of the New Democratic Party.Stokes was born in Schreiber, Ontario, and was educated in the area...
, Nelson Parliament
Nelson Parliament
Nelson Parliament was Speaker of the Legislature of Ontario from 1920 to 1923 and was first elected as a Liberal MLA for Prince Edward in the 1914 provincial election....
and Hugh Edighoffer
Hugh Edighoffer
Hugh Alden Edighoffer is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal from 1967 to 1990, and was Speaker of the legislature during the administration of David Peterson....
. Stokes was the NDP
Ontario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
MPP for Lake Nipigon, and was named Speaker by Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
Premier
Premier of Ontario
The Premier of Ontario is the first Minister of the Crown for the Canadian province of Ontario. The Premier is appointed as the province's head of government by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and presides over the Executive council, or Cabinet. The Executive Council Act The Premier of Ontario...
Bill Davis
Bill Davis
William Grenville "Bill" Davis, was the 18th Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the MPP for Peel in the 1959 provincial election where he was a backbencher in Leslie Frost's government. Under John Robarts, he was a cabinet minister overseeing the education...
. Davis was elected to lead a minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
and having an opposition MPP as Speaker was a means of denying the opposition one vote (as the Speaker only votes in the occasion of a tie and then must vote by precedent). Neson Parliament was a Liberal
Ontario Liberal Party
The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and...
who became Speaker when the United Farmers of Ontario
United Farmers of Ontario
The United Farmers of Ontario was a political party in Ontario, Canada. It was the Ontario provincial branch of the United Farmers movement of the early part of the 20th century.- Foundation and rise :...
formed government as the entire UFO/Labour caucus were freshly elected with no legislative experience. As a result the Premier, E.C. Drury, looked to the opposition benches for a Speaker. Upon becoming Speaker, Parliament resigned from the Liberal caucus and sat without party affiliation. While this is the normal practice in the British House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, it is the only time it has happened in Ontario.
Hugh Edighoffer was elected Speaker following the 1985 provincial election
Ontario general election, 1985
The Ontario general election of 1985 was held on May 2, 1985, to elect members of the 33rd Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada...
that returned a tenuous minority Progressive Conservative government under Frank Miller
Frank Miller (politician)
Frank Stuart Miller, was a Canadian politician, who served as the 19th Premier of Ontario for four months in 1985.-Early life and political career:...
. However, the opposition Liberals and NDP controlled the legislature and elected Edighoffer as Speaker at the beginning of the session. Days later, the Miller government was brought down by a Motion of Non-Confidence and, as a result of an accord between the Liberals and the NDP, Liberal leader David Peterson
David Peterson
David Robert Peterson, PC, O.Ont was the 20th Premier of the Province of Ontario, Canada, from June 26, 1985 to October 1, 1990. He was the first Liberal premier of Ontario in 42 years....
was asked to form a government without the legislature being dissolved and a new election. Edighoffer, a Liberal MPP, remained Speaker for the duration of the Peterson government.
2011 Speaker election
There were four candidates for the position of Speaker in the 40th Ontario legislature, held after the 2011 provincial election returned a minority Liberal government. Liberals Donna CansfieldDonna Cansfield
Donna H. Cansfield, is a politician in Ontario, Canada, who has represented the riding of Etobicoke Centre in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario since 2003...
, Kevin Flynn
Kevin Flynn
Kevin Daniel Flynn is a politician in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Oakville for the Ontario Liberal Party....
, Dave Levac
Dave Levac
David Joseph "Dave" Levac is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Brant for the Ontario Liberal Party...
and David Zimmer
David Zimmer
David Zimmer is a Canadian provincial legislator in Ontario's Legislative Assembly, representing the North York area riding of Willowdale for the Ontario Liberal Party.-Background:...
. A fifth candidate, Progressive Conservative MPP Frank Klees
Frank Klees
Frank Klees is a Canadian politician and the Progressive Conservative member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of Newmarket—Aurora north of Toronto. He was a candidate in the 2009 Progressive Conservative leadership election placing second behind victor Tim Hudak.-Early life:Klees was born...
withdrew after his bid failed to receive sufficient support from either side of the aisle.
David Zimmer dropped off after the first ballot. On the second ballot, Dave Levac was elected Speaker. The actual vote totals were not released.
Speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
| Legislature | Speaker by Order of Election | Speaker | PartyProgressive Conservative (PC) Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985... ; Conservative; Liberal Ontario Liberal Party The Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and... ; New Democratic Party (NDP) Ontario New Democratic Party The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its... | Term Began | Term Ended | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Stevenson, John | Conservative | 27 December 1867 | 7 December 1871 | |
| 2 | 2 | Scott, Richard William Richard William Scott Sir Richard William Scott, PC, KC was a Canadian politician and cabinet minister.He was born in Prescott, Ontario in 1825. A lawyer by training, Scott was admitted to the bar in 1848 and established a practice in Bytown... |
Liberal | 7 December 1871 | 21 December 1871 | |
| 2 | 3 | Currie, James George | Liberal | 21 December 1871 | 29 March 1873 | |
| 2, 3 | 4 | Wells, Rupert Mearse Rupert Mearse Wells Rupert Mearse Wells was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1874 to 1879 and served as Liberal MLA for Bruce South from 1872 to 1882. He represented Bruce East in the Canadian House of Commons from 1883 to 1887 as a Liberal.He was born in Prescott County in Upper Canada in 1835 and attended... |
Liberal | 7 January 1874 | 7 January 1880 | |
| 4, 5 | 5 | Clarke, Charles J. P.Charles Clarke was also Clerk of the Assembly from 1892-1907, being the only Member to serve as both Speaker and Clerk. | Liberal | 7 January 1880 | 10 February 1887 | |
| 6 | 6 | Baxter, Jacob Jacob Baxter Jacob Baxter was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1887-1890 and served as Liberal MLA for Haldimand from 1867 to 1898.... |
Liberal | 10 February 1887 | 11 February 1891 | |
| 7 | 7 | Ballantyne, Thomas Thomas Ballantyne Thomas Ballantyne was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Ontario Legislature.Ballantyne was born in Peebles, Scotland, and immigrated to Canada in 1852. He made his fortune as a cheese manufacturer, becoming successful enough to be elected president of the Dairyman's Association... |
Liberal | 11 February 1891 | 21 February 1895 | |
| 8 | 8 | Balfour, William Douglas William Balfour William Douglas Balfour was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1895-1896 and served as Liberal MLA for Essex South from 1882 to 1896.... |
Liberal | 21 February 1895 | 14 July 1896 | |
| 8, 9 | 9 | Evanturel, Francis Eugene Alfred Francis Evanturel François-Eugène-Alfred Évanturel was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1897-1902 and served as Liberal MLA for Prescott from 1886 to 1904... |
Liberal | 10 February 1897 | 10 March 1903 | |
| 10 | 10 | Charlton, William Andrew William Charlton William Andrew Charlton, PC was a lumber merchant, businessman and Canadian politician.Born in Cattaraugus County, New York, the son of Adam Charlton, he immigrated to Canada in 1849 with his family. In 1869, he married Nellie Rockwell... |
Liberal | 10 March 1903 | 22 March 1905 | |
| 11 | 11 | St. John, Joseph Wesley Joseph St. John Joseph Wesley St. John was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1905-1907 and served as Conservative MLA for York West from 1894 to 1898 and from 1902 to 1907.... |
Conservative | 22 March 1905 | 7 April 1907 | |
| 11, 12 | 12 | Crawford, Thomas | Conservative | 8 April 1907 | 7 February 1912 | |
| 13 | 13 | Hoyle, William Henry William Hoyle William Henry Hoyle was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1912-1914 and served as Conservative MLA for Ontario North from 1898 to 1918.- References :*... |
Conservative | 7 February 1912 | 16 February 1915 | |
| 14 | 14 | Jamieson, David | Conservative | 16 February 1915 | 9 March 1920 | |
| 15 | 15 | Parliament, Nelson Nelson Parliament Nelson Parliament was Speaker of the Legislature of Ontario from 1920 to 1923 and was first elected as a Liberal MLA for Prince Edward in the 1914 provincial election.... |
LiberalNelson Parliament was elected to the Liberal Party, however as the United Farmers won a Majority Government, and none had experience in the Legislature, Parliament was selected from the Opposition to become Speaker; he subsequently resigned his party membership and sat as an independent. To date, he is the only Ontario Speaker who has done so, while it is common practice in the United Kingdom. | 9 March 1920 | 6 February 1924 | |
| 16 | 16 | Thompson, Joseph Elijah | Conservative | 6 February 1924 | 2 February 1927 | |
| 17 | 17 | Black, William David | Conservative | 2 February 1927 | 5 February 1930 | |
| 18 | 18 | Kidd, Thomas Ashmore | Conservative | 5 February 1930 | 20 February 1935 | |
| 19, 20 | 19 | Hipel, Norman Otto Norman Hipel Norman Otto Hipel was a Canadian politician, noted for his service as Minister of Labour for Ontario in the cabinet of Mitchell Hepburn. He served as MLA for Waterloo South.-Personal background and career:... |
Liberal | 20 February 1935 | 2 September 1938 | |
| 20 | 20 | Clark, James Howard James Clark (Ontario politician) James Howard Clark was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1939-1943 and served as Liberal MPP for Windsor—Sandwich.-References:... |
Liberal | 8 March 1939 | 22 February 1944 | |
| 21, 22 | 21 | Stewart, William James William James Stewart William James Stewart was a Canadian politician. Stewart also owned and operated the Bates and Dodds Funeral Home on Queen Street West in Toronto.- Mayor of Toronto :... |
Conservative | 22 February 1944 | 21 March 1947 | |
| 22 | 22 | Hepburn, James de Congalton James de Congalton Hepburn James Hepburn was speaker of the Legislature of Ontario in 1947-1948 and served as Progressive Conservative MLA for Prince Edward-Lennox.... |
Conservative | 24 March 1947 | 10 February 1949 | |
| 23, 24 | 23 | Davies, Myrddyn Cooke | Conservative | 10 February 1949 | 8 September 1955 | |
| 25 | 24 | Downer, Alfred | Progressive Conservative (PC) | 8 September 1955 | 26 January 1960 | |
| 26 | 25 | Murdoch, William | Progressive Conservative (PC) | 26 January 1960 | 29 October 1963 | |
| 27 | 26 | Morrow, Donald Hugo Donald Morrow Donald Morrow was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1963 to 1967. He was also Progressive Conservative MPP, representing Carleton from 1948 to 1955 and Ottawa West from 1955 to 1977.... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 29 October 1963 | 14 February 1968 | |
| 28 | 27 | Cass, Frederick McIntosh Frederick Cass Frederick McIntosh Cass Q.C. was a Canadian politician who served as both Attorney-General of Ontario and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 14 February 1968 | 13 December 1971 | |
| 29 | 28 | Reuter, Allan Edward Allan Reuter Allan Edward Reuter was an Canadian politician and Speaker of the Ontario Legislature in the 1970s.The eldest of six children, Reuter was born in Preston, Ontario. His father, Stanley was a wood pattern maker... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 13 December 1971 | 22 October 1974 | |
| 29, 30, 31 | 29 | Rowe, Russell Daniel Russell Rowe Russell Daniel Rowe was a Canadian politician and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The name is not to be mistaken with that of the hunky Australian actor Russell Crowe, Oscar winner.... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 22 October 1974 | 17 October 1977 | |
| 31 | 30 | Stokes, John Edward "Jack" Jack Stokes John Edward Stokes was a Canadian politician. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1967 to 1985, and was Speaker of the legislature from 1977 to 1981. Stokes was a member of the New Democratic Party.Stokes was born in Schreiber, Ontario, and was educated in the area... |
New Democratic Party (NDP) | 17 October 1977 | 21 April 1981 | |
| 32 | 31 | Turner, John M. John Melville Turner John Melville Turner is a former politician in the province of Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1971 to 1975, and again from 1977 to 1987, as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party. He was the Speaker of the Ontario Legislature from 1981 to... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 21 April 1981 | 4 June 1985 | |
| 33, 34 | 32 | Edighoffer, Hugh Alden Hugh Edighoffer Hugh Alden Edighoffer is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal from 1967 to 1990, and was Speaker of the legislature during the administration of David Peterson.... |
Liberal | 4 June 1985 | 19 November 1990 | |
| 35 | 33 | Warner, David William David William Warner David William Warner is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on three separate occasions between 1975 and 1995, and served as Speaker of the Assembly during Bob Rae's administration.-Background:Warner worked as a... |
New Democratic Party (NDP) | 19 November 1990 | 26 September 1995 | |
| 36 | 34 | McLean, Al Al McLean Allan Kenneth McLean is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and was briefly speaker of the assembly before being forced out of office due to a scandal.He was first elected to the Ontario legislature in the... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 26 September 1995 | 26 September 1996 | |
| 36 | 35 | Doyle, Edward Ed Doyle Edward Doyle is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 1999.... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 26 September 1996 | 3 October 1996 | |
| 36 | 36 | Stockwell, Chris Chris Stockwell Chris Stockwell is a former politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2003, and served as a cabinet minister in the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves. Before entering provincial politics, he had been a... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 3 October 1996 | 20 October 1999 | |
| 37 | 37 | Carr, Gary Gary Carr Gary Carr is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1990 to 2003, and served in the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal from 2004 to early 2006... |
Progressive Conservative (PC) | 20 October 1999 | 19 November 2003 | |
| 38 | 38 | Curling, Alvin Alvin Curling Alvin Curling is a prominent Black Canadian. He was Canada's envoy to the Dominican Republic from 2005-2006. A former politician in Ontario, Canada, he was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario until he resigned on August 19, 2005 to accept his diplomatic appointment... |
Liberal | 19 November 2003 | 19 August 2005 | |
| 38 | 39 | Brown, Michael A. Michael A. Brown Michael A. "Mike" Brown, MPP is a politician in Ontario, Canada and was the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from October 2005 until October 2007... |
Liberal | 11 October 2005 | 28 November 2007 | |
| 39 | 40 | Peters, Stephen | Liberal | 28 November 2007 | 21 November 2011 | |
| 40 | 41 | Levac, Dave Dave Levac David Joseph "Dave" Levac is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, representing the riding of Brant for the Ontario Liberal Party... |
Liberal | 21 November 2011 |
See also
- Speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada
External links
- The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from the Ontario Legislative Assembly website. Biography of the current speaker and a history of the office.
- List of historical speakers.