At least, that’s what ITQ has been told – we’ve not yet gotten our hands on the formal e-nnouncement (hint, hint): Ottawa Vanier’s very own Mauril Belanger, which brings the total number of candidates to six, including the incumbent. I’m not sure what this does to the anti-Milliken conspiracy theory, but at the moment, it looks like next Tuesday’s vote may turn out to be more interesting than we could have possibly hoped.
(I’ve updated the official ITQ poll to add Belanger to the list of contenders, so if you haven’t voted yet, go for it.)
UPDATE: As it turns out, shameless hinting works!
Dear colleagues,
This letter is to inform you of my decision to let my name stand for election as Speaker of the House of Commons for the 40th Parliament.
I do this for a number of reasons. For more than 13 years, I have had the honour and privilege of sitting in the House, and I have unfortunately noticed a gradual deterioration in the civility and dignity of our deliberations.
Increasingly, a lack of decorum and respect from Members towards one another has been evident. We must reverse this trend and I believe the Speaker will have an important role in achieving such an objective.
Having had the opportunity to sit on both sides of House of Commons and the privilege of being a member of the Cabinet and of the Board of Internal Economy, I believe I have acquired the knowledge and experience to ensure the proper flow of the business of the House, as well as the administration of this great institution.
On that front, there has been a noticeable increase in the administrative burden imposed on MPs. An attempt to lighten this administrative load is in order, in close consultation with Members.
It is equally important that whoever occupies the Speaker’s chair be able to express him or herself in both official languages, for the following reasons. First, all Members should be able to interact directly with the Speaker without intermediary. Second, the Speaker represents the House of Commons in many protocol functions and official visits. Finally, the Speaker is regularly called upon to meet with unilingual Canadians, both francophones and anglophones, from coast to coast to coast.
For these reasons, I believe my nomination deserves your consideration and, I hope, your support. I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have in this regard. I have enclosed, for your information, a short biography.
In the meantime, please accept my warmest congratulations for your election or re-election to the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament.
We have a lot to be proud of and we need to demonstrate that daily!
Mauril Bélanger, P.C., M.P.
Ottawa—Vanier
