Quebec MP Francis Scarpaleggia elected as new House of Commons Speaker

By Canadian Press on May 26, 2025.

OTTAWA — Members of Parliament have chosen Quebec MP Francis Scarpaleggia to be their next Speaker of the House of Commons.

His election follows an unusually dramatic race that saw the only Conservative contenders drop out of the running at the last minute.

Conservative MPs Chris d’Entremont and John Nater both put their names forward but withdrew on the House floor this morning.

The Liberals currently have 169 seats in the minority Parliament, leaving them three seats shy of the 172 required for a majority.

Electing a Liberal MP as a Speaker takes another vote away from the governing party, adding to the difficulties it faces pushing its agenda through Parliament.

Electing the Speaker is the only item of business for the House of Commons for the day, which comes just ahead of King Charles III officially opening Parliament by reading the throne speech on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press

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