Discussion with the Hon. Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons
You are invited to participate in a discussion on the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons on the challenges encountered during the recent minority governments with Peter Milliken. Notably, the Hon. Speaker will address the landmark ruling on April 27, 2010 regarding the right of the House to compel production of documents on Afghan detainees. Professor Robert Leckey will moderate.
This will be an informal yet exclusive discussion of this
historic issue in Canadian politics. Space limited. Light
refreshments will be provided for those who RSVP. RSVP:
emily.elder [at] mail.mcgill.ca
by 12 noon on Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Biography
Election to the Chair
Mr. Milliken was first elected Speaker of the House of Commons on January 29th, 2001, and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, and most recently on November 18th, 2008.听 He is the third Speaker in history to be chosen by a secret ballot cast by his fellow Members of the House of Commons. On October 12, 2009, he became the longest-serving Speaker in Canadian history.
Political Record
Mr. Milliken was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands and was re-elected in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008.听 He held several positions including, in opposition, Party Critic for Election Reform and Associate Critic for Seniors, Assistant Party House Leader (House Business), Vice-Chairman of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform and Member of the Standing Committee on House Management. In government, Mr. Milliken served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and Co-Chair of the Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct. In 1996, he was named Deputy Chairman of Committees of the Whole House. In 1997, Mr. Milliken was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committees of the Whole House. In 2001, he was elected 34th Speaker of the House of Commons, and in 2004 he was re-elected by acclamation. He was once again elected Speaker in 2006 and 2008.
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