Savoie takes on Deputy Speaker role

Will work together with Speaker on improving civility and decorum

OTTAWA – Victoria MP Denise Savoie today accepted the role of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons for the 41st Parliament.

“I entered the race for Speaker to raise the issue of parliamentary decorum and civility,” said Savoie. “I am pleased to now have this opportunity to translate the considerable goodwill among my colleagues towards these goals into noticeable changes in the way we conduct our debates and interactions in Parliament.”

The Deputy Speaker, also known as the Chair of Committees of the Whole, is one of three Chair occupants who preside over debate in the House of Commons when the Speaker is unavailable. Outside of the Chair, Savoie will support the Speaker’s work to raise the tone of parliamentary debate, in order to restore Canadians’ faith in their democratic institutions.

“Last week I asked my fellow MPs to imagine a Parliament that functions well – where debate is not focused on scoring points, but rather on creating better, more inclusive public policy,” said Savoie. “Starting this week, I will ask my fellow MPs to make that Parliament a reality.”