Election of the Speaker
One of the first orders of business in a new legislature is to elect the Speaker.
In Saskatchewan, the position of Speaker is open to any Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) except cabinet ministers or an opposition leader. The Speaker is chosen by MLAs in a secret ballot election in the legislative Chamber. When only one candidate stands for election, that Member is declared elected Speaker.
For the First Session of the 30th Legislature, Hon. Todd Goudy, MLA for Melfort, was declared elected Speaker on Monday, November 25, 2024. Watch the video or read the transcript of proceedings.
The Speaker is the Legislative Assembly’s presiding officer. It is the Speaker’s duty to ensure that the business in the Assembly is conducted efficiently and according to the rules. The Speaker is expected to be impartial and independent of partisan politics.
The Deputy Speaker is also elected by MLAs, on the second day of a new legislature during the day’s proceedings. On Tuesday, November 26, Blaine McLeod, MLA for Lumsden-Morse, was declared elected Deputy Speaker.