The Speaker role in the House of Commons has been called a cross between a diplomat and a referee, with the position demanding the Speaker administer the House of Commons, make rulings, and deal with security concerns and international interactions.
Possibly the Speaker’s toughest job, however, is to maintain order and defend the rights and privileges of all MPs, including the right to speak freely—not always an easy task.
Geoff Regan, Canada’s new House Speaker, aims to create a different kind of tone in the Commons. He says that for his part, diplomacy is important. As for the members, he hopes they will engage in “respectful debate,” and has vowed that unparliamentarily conduct or heckling will not be tolerated.
I am anxious to see a better atmosphere in the House and I think most Canadians are as well.
