The Speaker

The Speaker directs debates and proceedings in the Legislative Assembly. The Speaker is an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly. At the beginning of the first Legislative session after an election, all MLAs vote for the Speaker by secret ballot.

The Honourable Gordie Gosse is the current Speaker of the House. He is also the MLA for the riding of Cape Breton Nova.

Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker is chosen from among the Members. When the Speaker is absent, the Deputy Speaker takes the Chair and performs all the duties of the Speaker. When the House goes into a Committee of the Whole House, the Speaker leaves the Chair and the Deputy Speaker takes over as chair of the Committee. The Deputy Speaker maintains order in the Committee of the Whole House and decides all questions of order subject to an appeal to the Speaker.

The Deputy Speakers are:

Becky Kent, MLA, Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage

Leo Glavine,  MLA, Kings West

Alfie MacLeod, MLA, Cape Breton West