‘What the heck? Let’s give it a whirl’

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This article was published 09/11/2023 (700 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

He had to be dragged there, but Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey promised Thursday to be impartial and ensure the Manitoba legislature operates fairly as he officiates from the house Speaker’s chair.

The New Democrat was acclaimed as the province’s 31st Speaker and, in keeping with tradition, was taken from his seat on the back bench of the chamber and led — forcibly — to his new perch by Premier Wab Kinew and deputy Opposition leader Kelvin Goertzen, who then cloaked him in a black robe and plunked an ill-fitting a tricorn hat on his head.

The affable northerner said afterward that the dragging custom dates back to 14th-century England, when the Speaker’s job was to communicate information to the monarch on behalf of the House of Commons.

“If the king or queen didn’t like what you were doing, it had dire consequences,” Lindsey told reporters as he settled into his new office. Between 1394 and 1535, English monarchs are believed to have ordered the execution of seven Speakers, according to Speakers of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

“Hopefully the king is over that now,” Lindsey quipped.

Another tradition of the house, the daily opening procession with the clerks and the sergeant-at-arms carrying the giant mace, was to provide protection to the Speaker as they entered, the booklet in the legislative library says.

Lindsey, first elected as the member for Flin Flon in 2016, said he hadn’t considered being Speaker until Kinew asked if he’d be interested.

“I thought, ‘What the heck? Let’s give it a whirl and see how it goes’. It wouldn’t be the first time I went through door No. 8 not knowing what’s on the other side,” he said.

“I do accept it as being a great honour to be the Speaker and I appreciate that he and others thought that I would be good at it.”

Former house speaker and retired Roblin PC MLA Myrna Driedger met Thursday morning with Lindsey to discuss the job that involves being question period emcee, referee and overseer of the functioning of the legislative assembly.

“I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me,” Lindsey said. “I think I’m up for the challenge.”

The former mine worker and union boss said the toughest part will be remaining impartial.

“It’s not been my forte in the world,” he told reporters. “I look forward to entering that phase, where we can do things together and make a difference and still be a voice for Manitoba.”

He’s said he’s optimistic the new legislative session will be constructive, with respect rather than rancour and personal attacks.

“I’m hoping… people will be able to settle into their new roles, ask questions, get the answers they need and treat each other with dignity and respect,” Lindsey said.

“I want to give people the opportunity to be decent, kind, loving people and, if they don’t, then the speaker steps in.”

The Manitoba PC caucus looks forward to working alongside Lindsey “for all Manitobans,” house leader Derek Johnson (Interlake-Gimli) said in a prepared statement Thursday.

“The Speaker’s role is integral to our democratic system, and it’s not an easy job,” Johnson said. “We have the utmost respect for everyone who has held this role, and we look forward to working alongside them as legislators.”

At the afternoon ceremony, the premier and his governing NDP and the PCs took their seats on opposite sides of the chamber for the first time, as did the lone Liberal MLA, Cindy Lamoureux (Tyndall Park).

Tory leader Heather Stefanson, who is on an extended holiday, missed the ceremony attended by Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville. Stefanson (Tuxedo) is expected to return in time for the Nov. 21 start of the session.

NDP MLA Mark Wasyliw, who’s been at odds with his leader for continuing his law practice rather than dedicating himself full time to being a caucus member full time, took his seat on the back bench, furthest from Kinew.

Lindsey said he’s hoping to have a better-fitting hat on his head in time for the government’s first throne speech Nov. 21.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca