And They're Off!

The Speaker is a plum position, after all:

Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont, currently the deputy speaker, has declared his interest in running for the position, although he acknowledged it was rare for an opposition MP to be named Speaker.

“We are working as much as we can with all parties,” he said.

D’Entremont said he believes there needs to “be more decorum in the House, more respect for one another.”

Liberal MP Greg Fergus said he would be putting his name forward as well. He said the House of Commons needs to have frank, honest debate, but it also needs to be a place where people can speak.

“Each one of the 338 members of Parliament have a right to be in the House to express themselves and not to be intimidated, making sure that they can freely express themselves,” Fergus said.

Liberal MP Alexandra Mendès, who is currently one of two assistant deputy Speakers, has also indicated that she plans to run for the top job.

In a statement, she said she believes she has the experience for the job, having served as assistant deputy Speaker for the last four years. ...

NDP MP Carol Hughes, who is the other assistant deputy Speaker, has said she also intends to stand for the position.

Under a plan agreed to by all parties Tuesday night, Bloc MP Louis Plamondon, who is the longest-serving member of the House of Commons will be interim Speaker until the vote is held on Tuesday.

Votes for Speaker happen among all MPs and the winner must receive a majority of the ballots cast, setting up a process of a run-off elections.

The position comes with a pay bump of $92,800 over and above the current $194,600 salary for an MP. The Speaker also receives a car allowance and an official residence at the Farm in Kingsmere in the Gatineau Hills near Ottawa.