Former Speaker weighs in on current conundrum

Jun 14, 2017 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The uncertainty in Victoria right now centers on one person’s role: the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Premier Christy Clark says a Speaker will come forward in time for the resumption of business in the legislature next Thursday.

However, it’s not known if that Speaker will resign after the expected fall of Clark’s minority government.

Former Kamloops MLA Claude Richmond served as the legislative Speaker for four years, from 2001 to 2005.

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He was never pressed into a voting position, as the Speaker only votes to break a tie, and the BC Liberals had a massive majority at the time.

Richmond says it will be very different in this new government, considering how tight the numbers are.

“What will be difficult for the new government is they won’t be able to have a single member absent from the House. If a vote comes up, and they have one or two members missing, their coalition could fall on a critical vote,” said Richmond. 

Richmond adds the Speaker is a lot like a referee, and must remain impartial, something that will be challenging in the weeks and months ahead.