Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Encyclopedia
The Speaker
of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
is the presiding officer of the provincial legislature. Since 1994 the position has been elected by MLA
s using a secret ballot. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed by motion of the house, in practice moved by the Premier of New Brunswick
usually after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
. Shirley Dysart
was the first Speaker to be elected by his or her peers.
The Speaker is usually a member of the governing party. The only recent exceptions have been Robert McCready
and Michael Malley
. McCready was appointed by motion of Premier Richard Hatfield
following the close election of 1978
. Hatfield's Progressive Conservative Party
had won only 30 seats compared to the 28 seats won by the opposition Liberal Party
. McCready was a member of the Liberal caucus
and was appointed over the objection of the Liberal Party. The Liberal opposition argued on a point of order
before the clerk of the assembly that precedent required that the opposition support the motion appointing speaker, but the clerk allowed the motion to be put and carried by the government. Malley was elected in 2006 while sitting as an independent
. Malley had left the government caucus following a cabinet shuffle
that had seen the incumbent speaker, Bev Harrison
, join the cabinet
leaving the post vacant. Malley argued that he should have been included in the cabinet for regional reasons and left the government caucus in protest; to prevent losing control of the legislature in a tenuous minority government
situation, the Progressive Conservative caucus supported Malley as speaker. Malley later changed his party affiliation, amid some controversy, back to that of the governing Progressive Conservatives while occupying the speakership.
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
is the presiding officer of the provincial legislature. Since 1994 the position has been elected by MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
s using a secret ballot. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed by motion of the house, in practice moved by the Premier of New Brunswick
Premier of New Brunswick
The Premier of New Brunswick is the first minister for the Canadian province of New Brunswick. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive....
usually after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government...
. Shirley Dysart
Shirley Dysart
Shirley Theresa Dysart, CM is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.Dysart was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1974 to represent Saint John North. She was the first female Liberal, and second female of any party, to serve therein...
was the first Speaker to be elected by his or her peers.
The Speaker is usually a member of the governing party. The only recent exceptions have been Robert McCready
Robert McCready
Robert Black McCready was a restaurateur and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, representing Queen's County from 1967 to 1974 as a Liberal member and then Queens South from 1978 to 1987 as a Progressive Conservative Progressive...
and Michael Malley
Michael Malley
Michael "Tanker" Malley is a former politician in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. He represented the riding of Miramichi-Bay du Vin in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006 and served as Speaker of the Assembly for part of 2006.Malley, a former Miramichi city...
. McCready was appointed by motion of Premier Richard Hatfield
Richard Hatfield
Richard Bennett Hatfield, PC, ONB was a New Brunswick politician and long time Premier of the province .- Early life :...
following the close election of 1978
New Brunswick general election, 1978
The 29th New Brunswick general election was held on October 23, 1978, to elect 58 members to the 49th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Richard Hatfield's Progressive Conservative Party narrowly won its third term.In the lead up to...
. Hatfield's Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick is a centre-right political party in New Brunswick, Canada. It has its origins in the pre-Canadian confederation Conservative Party that opposed the granting of responsible government to the colony...
had won only 30 seats compared to the 28 seats won by the opposition Liberal Party
New Brunswick Liberal Association
The New Brunswick Liberal Association , more popularly known as the New Brunswick Liberal Party or Liberal Party of New Brunswick, is one of the two major political parties in the Canadian province of New Brunswick...
. McCready was a member of the Liberal caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
and was appointed over the objection of the Liberal Party. The Liberal opposition argued on a point of order
Point of order
A point of order is a matter raised during consideration of a motion concerning the rules of parliamentary procedure.-Explanation and uses:A point of order may be raised if the rules appear to have been broken. This may interrupt a speaker during debate, or anything else if the breach of the rules...
before the clerk of the assembly that precedent required that the opposition support the motion appointing speaker, but the clerk allowed the motion to be put and carried by the government. Malley was elected in 2006 while sitting as an independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
. Malley had left the government caucus following a cabinet shuffle
Cabinet shuffle
In the parliamentary system a cabinet shuffle or reshuffle is an informal term for an event that occurs when a head of government rotates or changes the composition of ministers in their cabinet....
that had seen the incumbent speaker, Bev Harrison
Bev Harrison
Beverly John "Bev" Harrison, is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.-Early life:The son of William and Jean Harrison, Harrison received bachelor degrees in Arts and Education from the University of New Brunswick....
, join the cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
leaving the post vacant. Malley argued that he should have been included in the cabinet for regional reasons and left the government caucus in protest; to prevent losing control of the legislature in a tenuous minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
situation, the Progressive Conservative caucus supported Malley as speaker. Malley later changed his party affiliation, amid some controversy, back to that of the governing Progressive Conservatives while occupying the speakership.
Speakers since the creation of the Assembly in 1785
- Dale GrahamDale GrahamDale Allison Graham is a politician in New Brunswick, Canada. He is currently a member and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and was a member of the provincial cabinet from 1999 to 2006....
(2010-Present) - Roy BoudreauRoy BoudreauRoy Boudreau, is a former teacher and a New Brunswick politician. He is the current member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Campbellton-Restigouche Centre....
(2007–2010) - Eugene McGinleyEugene McGinleyEugene McGinley is a politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in a 1972 by-election to represent the electoral district of Bathurst and was re-elected in 1974 following which he retired from politics...
(2007) - Michael MalleyMichael MalleyMichael "Tanker" Malley is a former politician in the Canadian Province of New Brunswick. He represented the riding of Miramichi-Bay du Vin in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1999 to 2006 and served as Speaker of the Assembly for part of 2006.Malley, a former Miramichi city...
(2006) - Bev HarrisonBev HarrisonBeverly John "Bev" Harrison, is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.-Early life:The son of William and Jean Harrison, Harrison received bachelor degrees in Arts and Education from the University of New Brunswick....
(1999–2006) - John McKayJohn McKay (New Brunswick politician)John Bradley McKay is a politician in New Brunswick, Canada. He was a member of the province's legislative assembly and served as mayor of the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick from 2004 to 2008....
(1998–1999) - Danny Gay (1995–1998)
- Shirley DysartShirley DysartShirley Theresa Dysart, CM is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.Dysart was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1974 to represent Saint John North. She was the first female Liberal, and second female of any party, to serve therein...
(1994–1995) - Gerald ClavetteGérald ClavetteGérald Clavette is a New Brunswick politician. A Liberal, he served in cabinet as chairman of the Board of Management from 1987 to 1991 and then as Minister of Agriculture in the government of Frank McKenna from October 9, 1991 to April 25, 1994....
(1994) - Shirley DysartShirley DysartShirley Theresa Dysart, CM is a former teacher and New Brunswick politician.Dysart was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1974 to represent Saint John North. She was the first female Liberal, and second female of any party, to serve therein...
(1991–1994) - Frank BranchFrank BranchFrank Richard Branch is a former Canadian politician.A Liberal, he was first elected to the New Brunswick Legislature to the multi-member riding for Gloucester County in the 1970 provincial election. He was re-elected to the legislature for the single member riding of Nepisiguit-Chaleur in 1974,...
(1987–1991) - Charles GallagherCharles GallagherCharles Gunter Gallagher was a farmer and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Carleton County and then Carleton North in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a Progressive Conservative member from 1970 to 1987.He was born in Centreville, New Brunswick, the son of...
(1986–1987) - James Tucker (1981–1985)
- Robert McCready (1979–1980)
- William Woodroffe (1973–1978)
- Lawrence GarvieLawrence GarvieLawrence R. Garvie was a lawyer and former politician in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented the City of Fredericton and then Fredericton North in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1968 to 1978 as a Progressive Conservative member.He was born in Westmount, Quebec, the son of Gordon S...
(1971–1973) - Robert McCreadyRobert McCreadyRobert Black McCready was a restaurateur and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, representing Queen's County from 1967 to 1974 as a Liberal member and then Queens South from 1978 to 1987 as a Progressive Conservative Progressive...
(1968–1970) - H. H. WilliamsonH. H. WilliamsonHarry Havelock Williamson was a prospector and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Gloucester County and then Bathurst in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a Liberal from 1960 to 1972....
(1966–1967) - Bernard A. JeanBernard A. JeanBernard A. Jean was a lawyer and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Gloucester County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a Liberal member from 1960 to 1970....
(1963–1966) - Ernest RichardErnest RichardRhéal Ernest Richard May 1, 1922 - September 25, 2006 was a Canadian businessman and politician in the Province of New Brunswick.Known by his middle name, Ernest Richard was born and raised in Shippagan, New Brunswick. He was involved in the east-coast fishing industry for many years. He was ...
(1960–1963) - J. Arthur MooreJ. Arthur MooreJ. Arthur Moore was a lumberman, farmer and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Queen's County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1925 to 1935, from 1939 to 1944 and from 1952 to 1960....
(1955–1960) - Walter PowersWalter Powers (politician)Walter V. Powers was an accountant and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Victoria County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1953 to 1954 as a Progressive Conservative member....
(1954) - E.T. Kennedy (1953)
- Harry O. DowneyHarry O. DowneyHarry Orliff Downey was a fox rancher and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Albert in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1931 to 1952 as a Liberal member....
(1945–1952) - Frederic McGrandFrederic McGrandFrederic Addison McGrand was a Canadian physician and politician. Born in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick, he received his medical education from McGill University....
(1940-04-04 - 1944-07-10) - Hedley Francis Gregory BridgesHedley Francis Gregory BridgesHedley Francis Gregory Bridges, PC was a Canadian politician.Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, the son of Hedley Vicars Burpee Bridges and Mabel Eloise Fulton Gregory, he was educated at the University of New Brunswick. He studied law and was called to the Bar of New Brunswick in 1927...
(1936–1938) - F. C. SquiresFrederick C. SquiresFrederick Charles Squires was a lawyer and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Carleton County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1925 to 1935 as a Conservative member....
(1931–1935) - Joseph Leonard O'BrienJoseph Leonard O'BrienJoseph Leonard O'Brien was a Canadian politician. Born in South Nelson, New Brunswick, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1925 to 1930 and was Speaker of the Assembly...
(August 1925 - June 1930) - A. Allison DysartAllison DysartA. Allison Dysart was a New Brunswick politician, lawyer and judge.Dysart was born in Cocagne, New Brunswick and was educated at St. Joseph's University in Memramcook, the Guelph Agricultural School in Ontario and Dalhousie Law School. He was called to the bar in 1913 and set up practice in...
(1921–1925) - Judson E. HetheringtonJudson HetheringtonJudson Egbert Hetherington was a physician and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Queen's County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1917 to 1925 as a Liberal....
(1919–1920) - William CurrieWilliam Currie (Canadian politician)William Currie was a manufacturer and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Restigouche County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1908 to 1912 and from 1917 to 1920 as a Liberal member....
(1917–1918) - Olivier-Maximin MelansonOlivier-Maximin MelansonOlivier-Maximin Melanson was an Acadian businessman and politician in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Westmorland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1890 to 1892, from 1899 to 1903 and from 1912 to 1917.He was born and was educated in Haute-Aboujagane,...
(1916–1917) - Walter B. Dickson (1914–1916)
- George Johnson ClarkeGeorge Johnson ClarkeGeorge Johnson Clarke, KC was a New Brunswick lawyer, journalist and politician.A native of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, George Clarke taught school for a time in Charlotte County before studying law. He was called to the bar in 1885 and set up practice in St. Stephen. He was also editor of the...
(1909–1914) - Donald MorrisonDonald Morrison (politician)Donald Morrison was a merchant and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1903 to 1908 as a Conservative member....
(1908) - Charles J. OsmanCharles J. OsmanCharles Joseph Osman was a businessman and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Albert County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1897 to 1908 as a Liberal member....
(1907–1908) - Clifford William RobinsonClifford William RobinsonClifford William Robinson was a New Brunswick lawyer, businessman and politician, the 12th Premier of New Brunswick....
(1901-02-28 - 1903-02-05) & (1903-03-26 - 1907-04-13) - J.P. BurchillJohn Percival BurchillJohn Percival "J.P." Burchill was a merchant and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1883 to 1886, from 1887 to 1903 and from 1908 to 1912 as a Liberal member.He was born in Miramichi, New Brunswick, the...
(1893–1899) - Albert S. WhiteAlbert Scott WhiteAlbert Scott White was a lawyer and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented King's County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1886 to 1903 as a Liberal-Conservative....
(1890–1892) - William PugsleyWilliam PugsleyWilliam Pugsley, PC, QC was a politician and lawyer in New Brunswick, Canada.He was born in Sussex, New Brunswick, the son of William Pugsley, of United Empire Loyalist descent, and Frances Jane Hayward. He was educated at the University of New Brunswick. He studied mathematics, classics, and...
(1887–1889) - James E. LynottJames E. LynottJames Edward Lynott was a political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Charlotte County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1879 to ????....
(1883–1886) - Benjamin Robert StephensonBenjamin Robert StephensonBenjamin Robert Stephenson was a lawyer and political figure in New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Charlotte County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a Liberal member from 1867 to 1882. His surname also appears as Stevenson in some sources.He was born in St...
(1879–1882) - William WedderburnWilliam Wedderburn (Canadian politician)William Wedderburn, QC was a lawyer, journalist, judge and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada...
(1875–1878) - Edwin Arnold Vail (1871–1874)
- Bliss BotsfordBliss BotsfordBliss Botsford was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Westmorland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1851 to 1854, from 1856 to 1861 and from 1866 to 1870.He was born in Sackville, New Brunswick, the son of William...
(1867–1870) - John H. GrayJohn Hamilton Gray (New Brunswick politician)John Hamilton Gray, QC was a politician in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada, a jurist, and one of the Fathers of Confederation. He should not be confused with John Hamilton Gray, a Prince Edward Island politician in the same era.Gray was born in St. George's, Bermuda...
(1866–1867) - Edwin Arnold VailEdwin Arnold VailEdwin Arnold Vail was a physician and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Kings County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1857 to 1866, from 1870 to 1874 and from 1878 to 1885.He was born in Sussex Vale, New Brunswick, the son of John Cougle...
(1865–1866) - John Campbell AllenJohn Campbell AllenSir John Campbell Allen was from 1865–1896 a Supreme court justice of the colonial New Brunswick Supreme Court, serving as Chief Justice of New Brunswick from 1875 to 1896....
(1863–1865) - John Mercer JohnsonJohn Mercer JohnsonJohn Mercer Johnson was a politician in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada and a Father of Confederation. He represented Northumberland in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1868 as a Liberal member....
(1859–1863) - James A. Harding (1857–1858)
- Charles Simonds (1856–1857)
- Daniel HaningtonDaniel HaningtonDaniel Hanington was a farmer, mill owner and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Westmorland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1834 to 1862....
(1853–1856) - William Crane (1852–1853)
- Charles Simonds (1851)
- John Wesley WeldonJohn Wesley WeldonJohn Wesley Weldon was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Kent County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1828....
(1843–1850) - Charles Simonds (1835–1841)
- William Crane (1831–1835)
- Charles SimondsCharles SimondsCharles Simonds was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada...
(1829–1831) - Richard SimondsRichard SimondsRichard Simonds was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1816 to 1828....
(1828) - Harry PetersHarry PetersHarry Peters was a merchant and political figure in the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented the city of Saint John in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1816 to 1828....
(1826–1827) - Ward Chipman, Jr.Ward Chipman, Jr.Ward Chipman was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada....
(1824–1825) - William BotsfordWilliam BotsfordWilliam Botsford was a lawyer, judge and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada....
(1817–1823) - John RobinsonJohn Robinson (Businessman)John Robinson was a merchant and political figure in the pre-Confederation Province of New Brunswick, Canada. He represented the City of Saint John in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1802 to 1809 and from 1810 to 1816.He was born near New York City, the son of Beverley Robinson and...
(1813–1816) - Amos BotsfordAmos BotsfordAmos Botsford was a lawyer, judge, land owner and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Westmorland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1786 to 1812....
(1786–1812)