Long-time Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia was elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
Scarpaleggia, the member for Lac—Saint—Louis, will become the 39th Speaker of the House, replacing fellow Liberal MP Greg Fergus.
Scarpaleggia is a veteran Liberal in the House of Commons, serving his Quebec riding for nearly 21 years since first being elected in 2004.
While Scarpaleggia did not have a role in cabinet during his extended time in the House, he has stood on several standing committees in Parliament, most recently chairing the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.
The Speaker of the House of Commons is entrusted with presiding over the business of the House, ensuring order, guiding parliamentarians through the business before the House and applying the Parliamentary rules in a fair, even-handed manner.
Scarpaleggia assumes the speakership as the two previous men in the role sustained significant scrutiny for their conduct in carrying out the duties of the job.
Former Liberal MP Anthony Rota resigned from his role as Speaker after sustaining significant criticism for inviting Yaroslav Hunka, a former soldier who fought in Waffen-SS during World War 2.
Former Speaker Fergus sustained significant criticism from opposition MPs on numerous occasions. Fergus survived a vote of no confidence after virtually attending a Liberal party fundraiser in the Speaker’s attire and allegedly censoring Conservative MPs.