Elizabeth May: The Right Speaker at the Right Time

A Historic Opportunity to Permanantly Transform Parliament’s Toxic Culture

The 2025 federal election has dramatically reshaped Canada's political landscape—Justin Trudeau has exited politics, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in Carleton, and Jagmeet Singh's resignation has left the NDP leaderless and without official party status [1][2].

Prime Minister Mark Carney now leads a minority government amidst this unprecedented realignment. This extraordinary moment provides a crucial opportunity to finally address Parliament's longstanding issues, notably chronic heckling, interruptions, and lack of decorum that have significantly undermined its functionality and dignity.

At this pivotal juncture, the choice of the next Speaker of the House is paramount. Elizabeth May, the experienced Green MP, clearly emerges as the candidate uniquely suited for this transformative role. With over a decade of respected parliamentary service, she has earned the trust and admiration of Canadians across party lines, positioning her perfectly to usher in genuine and lasting reform.

Born for the Speaker’s Chair

Elizabeth May’s parliamentary credentials are unmatched—she was practically born to serve as Speaker. Since entering Parliament in 2011, May has consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment to respectful dialogue and bipartisan cooperation. Honored as Parliamentarian of the Year by her peers in 2012 [3], she has long aspired to the Speaker role, first expressing interest after the 2019 election and reaffirming her intentions during the 2023 special election triggered by Anthony Rota’s resignation [4][5].

During her virtual address in 2023, May cited former Speaker Lucien Lamoureux as her role model for impartiality [6], emphasizing her readiness to strictly and fairly enforce parliamentary rules. Her unique position as leader of a small caucus frees her from partisan constraints, enabling genuine neutrality essential for the Speaker’s role [4].

Resolving Parliament's Toxic Crisis

The atmosphere in Parliament has recently deteriorated, dominated over the past 2 years by disruptive heckling and disrespectful interruptions. Past Speaker Greg Fergus himself described the Commons' environment as "toxic" [7]. Elizabeth May offers a compelling solution, exemplified by her flawless record of parliamentary decorum.

Famously declaring, "I've never yelled, I've never heckled, I've never interrupted another person" [6], May’s unwavering commitment to civility would significantly elevate Parliament’s dignity and effectiveness.

As Speaker, May would rigorously enforce parliamentary rules and champion vital reforms, notably ending the undue influence of party whips on debate participation [5]. By insisting that the Speaker independently manages speaking rights during Question Period, May would dismantle longstanding partisan control, enabling genuine, respectful exchanges.

A Clear Alternative to Controversy

Current Speaker Greg Fergus’s tenure has been clouded by ethical controversies, including violations prior to his appointment and a partisan incident that severely compromised his neutrality [8].

These missteps, often characterized by unnecessary foibles, have significantly undermined Fergus's authority and diminished public confidence in his leadership. Fergus’s damaged credibility contrasts sharply with Elizabeth May’s impeccable ethical record and extensive bipartisan respect.

Sidebar: How the Speaker is Elected

The election of the Speaker of the House of Commons is conducted at the start of each new Parliament or upon a vacancy in the role.

The process begins with all Members of Parliament (MPs) automatically considered candidates unless they formally withdraw their names. Candidates who remain deliver brief speeches outlining their qualifications and vision for the role.

MPs then vote through a secret ballot system. If no candidate secures an absolute majority on the first ballot, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and subsequent ballots are held until one candidate achieves a majority.

Once elected, the Speaker is ceremonially "dragged" to the Speaker's chair, symbolizing the historical reluctance of MPs to accept this challenging responsibility.

Restoring May to the Speaker role would allow Parliament a vital reset, providing a fresh start with renewed integrity and a return to principled leadership.

Elizabeth May: Parliament’s Moment of Truth

Electing Elizabeth May as Speaker meets Parliament’s urgent needs: experienced leadership, renewed civility, and restored public trust. While unconventional, May’s independence from major parties is precisely her greatest asset in this unique political moment [4].

As Speaker, Elizabeth May would command universal respect, uphold high parliamentary standards, and renew Canadians' confidence in democracy. Parliament now faces a historic decision—it’s time to hand Elizabeth May the gavel and usher in a respectful, productive era in Canadian politics.

Sources

[1] CTV News. (2025, April 29). Election 2025 results coverage. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/election2025/results

[2] CBC News. (2025, April 29). Jagmeet Singh loses seat, NDP status uncertain. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/singh-ndp-loss-2025

[3] Maclean’s. (2012). Parliamentarian of the year 2012: Elizabeth May. Retrieved from https://www.macleans.ca/politics/parliamentarian-of-the-year-2012

[4] Castanet (Times Colonist). (2023, October 1). Green Leader Elizabeth May mulls Speaker job. Retrieved from https://www.castanet.net/news/Canada/448746/Green-Leader-Elizabeth-May-mulls-Speaker-job

[5] House of Commons Debates (Hansard). (2023, October 3). Elizabeth May speech during Speaker election. Retrieved from https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/house/sitting-240/hansard

[6] iPolitics. (2023, October 4). Elizabeth May emphasizes non-partisanship in Speaker bid. Retrieved from https://ipolitics.ca/news/elizabeth-may-emphasizes-non-partisanship-in-speaker-bid

[7] Coast Reporter (Canadian Press). (2023, October 18). New Speaker Greg Fergus warns MPs about toxic behaviour. Retrieved from https://www.coastreporter.net/national-news/new-speaker-puts-mps-on-notice-over-unruly-toxic-behaviour-7647934

[8] Troy Media. (2023, December 12). Why Greg Fergus should step down as Speaker. Retrieved from https://troymedia.com/politicslaw/why-greg-fergus-should-step-down-as-speaker/