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New Nunavut Speaker

On May 28, 2019, Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak was elected Speaker of the Nunavut Assembly. Mr. Mikkungwak, who was elected in a secret ballot over ML As Paul Quassa, Tony Akoak and Pat Angnakak, replaces former Speaker Joe Enook who passed away in March.

"Having served as Deputy Speaker for our late Speaker, I am deeply touched," Mr. Mikkungwak said. "My colleagues, it's evident that we will work well together on behalf of Nunavummiut. I also humble myself for being elected as Speaker."

First elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017, in addition to his role as Deputy Speaker, Mr. Mikkungwak also served as Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole.

Prior to entering politics Mr. Mikkungwak worked as an inspector for the Kivalliq Inuit Association, an alcohol and drug specialist for Nunavut's Department of Health and Social Services, a court interpreter, and deputy mayor of Baker Lake.

New Alberta Speaker

Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper was selected Speaker of the 30th Alberta legislature on May 21, 2019 in a secret ballot over Edmonton-Manning MLA Heather Sweet, who served as deputy chair of committees in the previous assembly. Mr. Cooper, who at 39 is the youngest Alberta Speaker in more than 80 years, has a reputation in the Assembly for his sense of humour and his love of parliamentary procedure.

"I think the thing that I hope to do is strike the right balance of being a Speaker who has a keen sense of when to interject and when to allow the members of the assembly to continue in the cut and thrust

of debate," he told reporters, noting he would "try his very best Dad voice" when dealing with unruly MLAs.

Mr. Cooper said he planned to apply the rules consistently while hoping debates would be "vigorous, thoughtful and amicable."

While working to remain order in Assembly, Mr. Cooper explained that he did not view the legislature as a workplace like any other. "This is the peaceful way we do battle," he said of Assembly debates. "We are doing battle for ideas in democracy."

New PEI Speaker

Souris-Elmira MLA Colin LaVie was elected Speaker of the PEI Assembly on June 13, 2019 in a secret ballot over MLA Hal Perry. Mr. Perry became deputy speaker. Speaker LaVie, who replaces retiring...