BC NDP looking to opposition MLAs to fill role of speaker

As the BC NDP meets ahead of returning to government, one of the first items on the to-do list is to find a new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. And with a razor-thin majority, the NDP is looking across the aisle to fill that role. 

Conservative MLA for Delta South Ian Paton tells 1130 News Radio he got a call from the NDP asking if he would be interested. Paton says he’s flattered to be considered, but his answer is no.

“Being a member of the BC Conservative Party and being elected here in Delta South, my role is to continue to fight for farmers and ranchers in this province and keep doing a good job for the people here in Delta South,” he said.

“I believe it’s the role of the government under the convention to find a Speaker from their own party,” Paton added. 

NDP MLA Raj Chouhan served as the Speaker previously. Legislature rules require speakers to remain neutral to preside over debates and ensure that Legislature rules are followed. Speakers only vote in order to break a tie. So, if the NDP put forward one of their own MLAs as Speaker, their majority of 47 is effectively reduced to 46. 

It’s not unprecedented for opposition MLAs to cross the floor and serve as Speaker. The last time it happened was in 2017, when BC Liberal Darryl Plecas was appointed to the role. But Paton says it’s unlikely any Conservatives would follow Plecas’ path.

“There’s a lot of hard feelings and animosity within my own colleagues and friends if you were to — in a word — defect and go sit as the Speaker and prop up the government caucus.”

Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko says she hasn’t gotten a phone call from the NDP — likely because the party knows she would say no. Sturko says the NDP has plenty of MLAs to choose from.

“Raj Chouhan did a great job. Maybe they should consider putting him back in that position. Or Spencer Chandra-Hebert. I know that he did that job very well as well. If they were to appoint him, he could be the first LGBT Speaker,” Sturko said. “They have lots of choices on their side. I think it’ll be interesting to see who ends up being the Speaker.” 

Both Sturko and Paton believe it’s unlikely any Conservative would want to become Speaker.

“Most of my colleagues have expressed to me that their desire is to be a strong voice for their community — especially now that we’re the official opposition — to make sure they’re doing their part to hold the government to account,” she said.  “That’s something the Speaker doesn’t do.” 

There’s no word on whether either of the BC Green MLAs have been approached about potentially becoming Speaker. 

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the BC NDP and Greens for comment.