House of Commons elects MP Greg Fergus as next Speaker

The House of Commons has elected Liberal Member of Parliament Greg Fergus as the next Speaker in a historic mid-session vote on Tuesday.

Fergus, 54, was first elected in the Quebec riding of Hull-Alymer in 2015. This election marks a historic moment in Canadian federal politics as Fergus will be the first Black Speaker ever elected in the country.

Sticking with tradition, the new Speaker was “dragged” to the chair in the House Commons by the prime minister and the Opposition leader after votes were counted.

Fergus received a standing ovation and members of the Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois caucuses congratulated him, along with a small number of Conservatives MPs.

In a speech to the House Tuesday morning, Fergus pledged to lead firmly, thoughtfully and collaboratively.

The election was triggered by the resignation of former Speaker Anthony Rota, who stepped down last week after he honored a man who fought for the Nazis in the Second World War.

Seven individuals had put their names in for consideration to take Rota’s place.

This report was created with files from the Canadian Press

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