With the return of the Ontario Legislature comes some new responsibilities for the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
Bill Walker was named the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.
While the Speaker of the House presides over proceedings in the Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Speaker assumes the chair in the House in the absence of the Speaker.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott has served as Speaker since the inception of the current provincial government. And now Walker joins NDP MPPs Lisa Gretzky, Jennifer French and Percy Hatfield as Deputy Speakers.
Walker calls the appointment a special role.
“This is a great honour and I am humbled to accept this special role and want to thank my colleagues for their support and confidence,” said Walker after his appointment. “The Speaker plays a vital role in our Parliamentary democracy and I look forward to working with Speaker Ted Arnott and my fellow deputies, as well as the Clerk and his team, and will carry out my duties to the best of my ability.”