Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott now has a greater voice in Ontario’s Legislative Assembly.
On July 11, Ontario MPPs elected the 28-year veteran Progressive Conservative MPP as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
He was nominated by Thornhill MPP Gila Martow – seconded by Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece – during the first sitting of the 42nd provincial parliament at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
“The first order of business that day was the election of a Speaker,” Arnott stated. “It was my honour to be elected by my colleagues to serve in that role.”
The decision came following a secret ballot by MPPs at Queen’s Park.
Arnott edged out Conservative MPPs Randy Hillier, Jane McKenna and Rick Nicholls for the role. He succeeds former Liberal MPP Dave Levac, who did not run in the June 7 election.
Arnott expressed his thanks to the MPPs who chose him and also to Wellington-Halton Hills constituents for their support over the years.
“I’m well aware of the challenges and the responsibility that’s entailed by being the Speaker and I truly want to be fair and impartial as I discharge the duties of this office,” said Arnott.
“The Speaker is indeed the servant of the House, just as I’m the servant of my constituents …”
He added his new role “carries with it significant responsibilities, including presiding with fairness over debates in the House, the administration of the Legislature and the Parliamentary Precinct, and many other duties.”
He stressed “No Speaker could succeed without the outstanding staff of the Ontario Legislature, who are more than just professional and dedicated public servants. In fact, they are magnificent.”
Arnott’s new post comes with a $152,914 salary – a $36,364 boost in base pay – and a third-floor apartment within the Legislature.
In a telephone interview with the Wellington Advertiser earlier this week, Arnott noted he hadn’t yet had the chance to see the apartment made available to the Speaker.
“I’ll see it in due course. It wasn’t the reason I ran for Speaker,” he said.
He explained the apartment exists because of the belief that the Speaker needs to be close by – and that has been the basis of its existence for many, many years.
Arnott noted many members of parliament had encouraged him to stand for the Speaker’s position.
“If the majority of members wanted me to stand for Speaker … I was ready to do so,” he said.
Arnott noted he served as an assistant speaker for 13 of the last 15 years.
“I have sat in the chair before, but never as the full Speaker,” he said.
On July 16, Arnott presided over his first question period.
“It was different than presiding over a Monday afternoon debate, which I was used to doing,” he said.
“I am very honoured and feel very privileged to have this opportunity to serve the House in this way.”
Arnott stressed his first priority continues to be his constituents in Wellington and Halton Hills.
“My intention is to undertake constituency work the first thing of every working day, just as I have in the past,” he said.
Arnott explained most people see the Speaker’s role as chairing deliberations and debates, but the position comes with extensive administrative responsibilities because the Speaker is the head of Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
As such, he will oversee over 400 staff within the building – “It’s going to be very busy, no question about it.”
However Arnott said he is looking forward to the challenge “and hope to do the best I can.”
One thing that will change is Arnott’s ability to publicly comment on certain issues.
“The Speaker must be non-partisan and have the confidence of all members in terms of impartiality,” he said. “I am no longer able to vote on bills or resolutions – unless there is a tie vote.”
He again stressed he remains an MPP, noting, “I was elected to represent the people of Wellington-Halton Hills. That comes first and it always will.”
Arnott said the Speaker has every opportunity to raise concerns on behalf of constituents, including individuals, groups and local councils within Wellington County and the Region of Halton.
“There are no problems in terms of access to the ministers,” he said. “There are abundant opportunities to speak to the ministers, the premier, and members of the opposition to advance the issues of our riding …
“But I am not in a position to then make a public statement about the Throne Speech. I leave that to others in the House to debate and decide.”
To those who believe the riding may have less representation, Arnott said he disagrees.
“It is not true. I will continue to stand up for our riding in every way that I can, and every way I have in the past. It is just that I cannot comment on some of the public issues being debated.”
He added if constituents have a problem or an idea they should continue to contact the riding Office.
Second local speaker
Arnott is just the second ever Wellington County representative to serve as Speaker in the Ontario Legislature – and the first in over 130 years.
Charles Clarke (1826–1909) was Speaker from 1880 to 1883 and served as a Liberal member for Wellington Centre from 1871 to 1886 and for Wellington East from 1886 to 1891.
A leader in the radical reform movement in the 19th century, Clarke was born in England and settled in Elora in 1848. He joined the ranks of the provinces’s radical reformers and played a prominent role in drafting the “Clear Grit” platform, which included such policies as representation by population, universal male suffrage and the secret ballot.
He retired to his home in Elora in 1907.
