It is expected that, next week, The Honourable Peter Milliken M.P. (Kingston and the Islands), the Speaker of the House of Commons, is going to announced his intention to not stand during the next general election. The stately member of the Commons for Kingston and the Islands since 1988, Mr. Milliken is now Canada’s longest-serving holder of the speakership, having now presided over the House for nine years.
Mr. Milliken has undoubtedly held one of the most interesting speakerships in Canadian history. The Speaker only casts a vote when a question is tied; this has only happened eleven times, and six of these were during Mr. Milliken’s term. The current Speaker is the only holder of the office to have ever had to break a tie on a motion of confidence, making history when he voted in favour of a motion that saw to the survival of Her Majesty’s Government for Canada under The Right Honourable Paul Martin P.C., the 21st Prime Minister.
Mr. Milliken is respected by both sides of the House, and has been elected by his colleagues for four parliaments in a row to represent the House and to preside over its proceedings. He is most definitely going to be a figure very much missed on Parliament Hill. I can only hope that the Speaker during the next legislature is going to be able to demonstrate as much non-partisanship and wisdom as has Mr. Milliken.
But is his political career really over?
There is speculation mounting in Ottawa that Mr. Milliken might in fact be appointed the next Governor General of Canada. Representatives for the Prime Minister’s Office have stated that The Right Honourable Stephen Harper P.C., M.P. (Calgary Southwest), the Prime Minister, has not yet decided who is to succeed the current vicereign. If rumours of an autumn election campaign ring true, then the timing would seem to be perfect for Mr. Milliken to make the move to Rideau Hall.
Source
Mr. Milliken has undoubtedly held one of the most interesting speakerships in Canadian history. The Speaker only casts a vote when a question is tied; this has only happened eleven times, and six of these were during Mr. Milliken’s term. The current Speaker is the only holder of the office to have ever had to break a tie on a motion of confidence, making history when he voted in favour of a motion that saw to the survival of Her Majesty’s Government for Canada under The Right Honourable Paul Martin P.C., the 21st Prime Minister.
Mr. Milliken is respected by both sides of the House, and has been elected by his colleagues for four parliaments in a row to represent the House and to preside over its proceedings. He is most definitely going to be a figure very much missed on Parliament Hill. I can only hope that the Speaker during the next legislature is going to be able to demonstrate as much non-partisanship and wisdom as has Mr. Milliken.
But is his political career really over?
There is speculation mounting in Ottawa that Mr. Milliken might in fact be appointed the next Governor General of Canada. Representatives for the Prime Minister’s Office have stated that The Right Honourable Stephen Harper P.C., M.P. (Calgary Southwest), the Prime Minister, has not yet decided who is to succeed the current vicereign. If rumours of an autumn election campaign ring true, then the timing would seem to be perfect for Mr. Milliken to make the move to Rideau Hall.
Source
- The Globe and Mail • homepage • Milliken to quit as Speaker: report