EDMONTON - Calgary legislature member Ric McIver is the new Speaker of the Alberta legislature.
McIver resigned as municipal affairs minister early Tuesday and soon after was voted into the Speaker’s job by his peers, defeating Opposition NDP candidate Heather Sweet.
After the vote result was announced, McIver was ceremoniously dragged to the Speaker’s chair by Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition NDP house leader Christina Gray.
Some jovial heel dragging on McIver’s part meant Gray dropped his elbow and started pushing him from behind while Smith led the way.
The dragging is a parliamentary tradition that dates back hundreds of years to when the Speaker’s role was viewed as both unappealing and perilous, given that they risked incurring the wrath of the sovereign.
In his first speech from the Speaker’s chair, McIver said he was grateful for the new post.
“I’m committed to everybody on both sides to honour the traditions of this place, to be non-partisan and to help us get through the business of the day every day,” McIver said.
“If we have a little fun, great ... better fun than nastiness.”
The Speaker’s role is to be the non-partisan referee during question period and debate.
After mistakenly thanking Sweet by name in his speech, breaking the parliamentary tradition of referring to members only by their titles, McIver urged colleagues to bear with him as he learns the ins and outs of the role.
“See? I’m already breaking the rules,” he said. “Despite the fact I’ve watched this show for this important place for almost about 13 years, that doesn’t mean I won’t mess it up. But with your help, I’ll fail along until we get better at it.”
Since being elected in 2012, McIver served as municipal affairs minister under two premiers, while also doing stints as transportation minister, infrastructure minister and jobs minister.
The Speaker’s job became vacant last week after United Conservative MLA Nathan Cooper announced he was stepping down as Speaker after nearly six years and resigning his seat in the assembly in order to represent Alberta’s interests in Washington D.C.
The premier said in a statement that she was confident McIver was the right choice for Speaker.
“He is respected on both sides of the aisle and I know he will approach his new role as Speaker with the utmost seriousness,” Smith said.
Smith also says Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver’s municipal affairs portfolio on an interim basis until a new permanent replacement is appointed.
“Minister Schow will be available to municipalities around the province as they continue to navigate the uncertainty of the wild fire season,” Smith said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.
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