Greg Fergus replaces Rota as Speaker, 1st Black Canadian to hold job
Liberal MP Greg Fergus replaced Anthony Rota as Speaker of the House of Commons Tuesday, making history as the first Black Canadian to hold the role.
Fergus, who represents the National Capital Region Quebec riding of Hull—Aylmer, was one of seven candidates vying for the job after Rota resigned from it last week amid international controversy over his actions during a recent visit by Ukraine’s president.
“Today, you are the first Black Canadian to become Speaker of this House,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said after the election.
“This should be inspiring for all Canadians.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called Fergus’s election an “incredible feat.”
“There’s going to be kids who are going to come here and maybe not see themselves represented on the walls,” he said.
“That’s going to change now.”
Fergus’s election follows a day of pitches from the other MPs seeking the role: Liberal MP Sean Casey kicked off the speeches saying there needs to be a reset in the House when it comes to decorum, while Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes said more than anything, civility is needed.
Nova Scotia Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont, who was most recently a deputy Speaker, said it’s important for him to protect the right of MPs to speak in the House, and that his calm French-Canadian demeanour is right for the job.
Fergus said every MP in the chamber has more in common than they care to admit and that he would lead firmly, thoughtfully and collaboratively.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who delivered her speech virtually due to health issues, said she was running so that she could make her concerns known: that the next Speaker must follow the rules.
Liberal MP Peter Schiefke had promised if elected that he would create a policy around due
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