The Speaker is the chief presiding officer of the Legislative Assembly, and has many roles and responsibilities. The Speaker is a member elected to the role by his or her fellow members via secret ballot process. Once in the role, the member serving as Speaker must be independent, impartial and non-partisan in presiding over proceedings and representing the institution.
In the Chamber, the Speaker is responsible for guiding the House through its daily routine by calling items on the agenda, recognizing members who wish to speak, and putting questions to the House.
The Speaker enforces the rules of the House and maintains order and decorum. The Speaker decides matters of order and assesses whether matters of privilege raised meet the necessary criteria.
The Speaker is responsible for the services, staff and facilities directly related to the Assembly. The Speaker is the Chair of the Standing Committee on Legislative Management, which is charged with policies for the administration of the Legislative Assembly.
The Speaker represents the Legislative Assembly at ceremonial and official occasions and in national and international parliamentary associations.
Deputy Speaker
The Deputy Speaker acts as Speaker in the absence of the Speaker, and has all the powers, privileges and duties of the Speaker when doing so. The Deputy Speaker is elected to the position via motion in the House. The Deputy Speaker also serves on the Standing Committee on Legislative Management, and is the Chair of the Committee of the Whole House on Supply.
Chair, Committee of the Whole House
Committee of the Whole House is chaired by a member other than the Speaker. When the committee is known as the Committee of the Whole House on Supply (estimates) the Deputy Speaker serves as Chair. For bills review, the Speaker can appoint any member to serve as Chair of the committee. In practice, a private member of the same party as the promoter of the bill is usually appointed as Chair.
The Chair of Committee of the Whole House presides over proceedings, recognizing members to speak and putting the question on each bill clause or estimate amount. The Chair is responsible for maintaining order, and has authority to decide all questions of order within the committee.
"To preside" means to be in the position of authority in a meeting or other gathering.