Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls is running for the position of Speaker.
He says the position acts as a mediator in the provincial legislature, and it’s a role he’s run for before.
“It’s been a goal of mine for five years, back in the 40th Parliament I became very interested in knowing more about what the speaker does and the impact the speaker can have in terms of a non-partisan role in the Ontario Legislature,” Nicholls explains. “I ran for the position of speaker in the last election, once the 41st Parliament resumed, unfortunately I didn’t make it.”
Nicholls did, however, get the title of Deputy Speaker.
Nicholls says any MPP can run for the position, which requires the candidate to ensure discussions don’t get out of hand.
The next speaker of the house will be elected on July 11th.
