Rules of the Legislative Assembly
PRESIDING OFFICERS
8 (1) Election of Speaker
At its first meeting after a general election, or when a vacancy occurs in
the office of the Speaker, the House shall elect a Speaker from among its Members before entering into any business.
(2) Clerk to preside
The election of the Speaker shall be presided over by the Clerk and shall take place by motion without notice or debate. A motion must be made and seconded for each Member proposed, and may not be amended.
(3) Method of Election
If only one Member is proposed, the Clerk shall declare, without question put, that the Member is elected. If two or more Members are proposed, the motions shall be considered in the order they were proposed. If the first motion is defeated, the subsequent motions shall be considered until a Member is elected.
(4) Tie vote on election of Speaker
In the case of a tie, the Clerk shall declare the motion to be defeated.
(5) Term of office
The Speaker shall hold office at the pleasure of the Assembly.
9 (1) Speaker shall not debate
The Speaker shall not take part in any debate before the Assembly other than to take part in the Legislative Assembly estimates review process in Committee of the Whole.
(2) Speaker decides tie vote
The Speaker shall not vote except to cast the deciding vote in the case of a tie.
10 (1) Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker shall exercise the powers of the Speaker and perform the duties of the Speaker where:
a) invited to do so by the Speaker;
b) the Speaker is absent or unable to act; or
c) the office of the Speaker is vacant.
(2) Removal of Speaker
A motion to remove the Speaker, Deputy Speaker or a Deputy Chair of Committee of the Whole requires notice to be given in accordance with Rules 19(2) and 49.
11 (1) Appointment of Deputy Speaker
A Deputy Speaker shall be appointed by motion on the first day of each new Assembly, or as soon as is practicable when a vacancy occurs.
(2) Chair of Committee of the Whole
The Deputy Speaker shall act as Chair of the Committee of the Whole and shall preside over and maintain order in the Committee.
(3) Deputy Chairs of Committee of the Whole
Two Deputy Chairs of Committee of the Whole shall be appointed by motion at the commencement of each new Assembly, or when a vacancy occurs. During the absence of the Chair or when directed by the Speaker or Chair, one of the Deputy Chairs named by the Speaker or Chair shall exercise all the powers vested in the Chair of the Committee of the Whole.
(4) Absence of Chair and Deputy Chairs
In the absence of the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairs of
Committee of the Whole, the Speaker shall appoint any Member to act as Chair of the Committee before leaving the Chair.