November 25, 2008

DEVOLIN APPOINTED ASSISTANT DEPUTY SPEAKER

OTTAWA:  The Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons announced Friday that, after consultation with the four party leaders, he has appointed local MP Barry Devolin as the Assistant Deputy Chair of the Committees of the Whole in the House of Commons. This position is often referred to as Assistant Deputy Speaker.

 

The primary role of the Deputy Speaker and the two Assistant Deputy Speakers is to provide relief for the Speaker by taking the Chair in the House of Commons, to chair the Committee of the Whole and, on occasion, to chair legislative committees.

 

“I am honoured to be appointed to this position,” said Devolin. “As one of the four chair occupants, I will spend part of each day in the Chair presiding over the affairs of the House of Commons.”

 

“When I decided to run for Speaker, my stated objective was to do what I can to improve decorum in the House,” said Devolin. “As an Assistant Deputy Speaker, I will have the opportunity to help shape a new tone of mutual respect with my colleagues.”

 

“I will continue to represent my constituents. While I won’t participate in debates in the House, I will continue to vote and represent my constituents with local issues,” explained Devolin.

 

Devolin said that with a move of his office from the Justice Building (400 metres away) into the Centre Block building, his day-to-day life in Ottawa will change greatly, and he looks forward to these new challenges and opportunities.

 

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For more information contact:

Barry Devolin, MP      

(705) 324-2400 or (866) 688-9881