Sean Casey keeps his name in the hat for Speaker of the House of Commons
Charlottetown MP Sean Casey says he's letting his name go forward to be considered for the role of Speaker in the House of Commons.
With a third of MPs having been newly elected in the April 28 general election, the five-term Liberal MP said there's a unique opportunity for a reset in terms of how members treat one another in the House.
"I've seen the gradual decline in the level of civility, decorum, respect for the institution, respect for the Speaker's office. I think that I can play a role in making that better," Casey told CBC News on Friday.
"Running for Speaker is a chance for me to use my experience in a way that will make a contribution to the country. And the fact that I was passed over for cabinet is one of the reasons that I am in the race," he said.
The Speaker will be elected by the MPs on Monday as Parliament's first order of business. Tradition holds that all members other than party leaders and cabinet ministers are considered to be running unless they take their name out of contention by 6 p.m. ET on the business day before the vote.
Casey was also contending for the position in 2023 after former Liberal MP Anthony Rota stepped down from the position. But MPs at that time elected Liberal Greg Fergus, who is expected to be in the running again.
The Speaker's position comes with a salary top-up of nearly $100,000, an official residence in a nearby part of Quebec, and an apartment and office within Parliament's Centre Block building.
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