Weekes wins MLAS' vote as Speaker in legislature

Saskatchewan's MLAS have a new referee, as Randy Weekes defeated Mark Docherty after five ballots to become the 27th Speaker of the legislative assembly.

Five Saskatchewan Party MLAS were vying for the post. The Speaker serves as the legislative assembly's presiding officer, controlling the flow of debate and dispensing discipline when members get out of line.

Docherty, the member for Regina Coronation Park and Speaker since 2018, was running for re-election to the post. Weekes, the member for Biggar- Sask Valley, was one of four challengers along with Greg Ottenbreit, Hugh Nerlien, Nadine Wilson and Lisa Lambert.

Lambert or Wilson, had they won, would have become the first female Speaker in Saskatchewan's history. But Lambert dropped off after the first ballot by receiving the fewest votes. Nerlien was the next to fall, then Ottenbreit and finally Wilson.

Legislative officers sanitized the wooden ballot box after each round of voting, before announcing that Weekes had won election on the decisive final ballot.

Weekes addressed a rearranged chamber, where about half his colleagues sat at spaced-out desks behind Plexiglas shields. He promised to serve without any bias, following the rules and traditions of the assembly.

He then thanked Docherty for his service.

“I really am humbled by the trust you put in me,” said Weekes. “Thank you to all the members, especially the members who ran for Speaker.”

Weekes has served as the member for Biggar- Sask Valley since 1999. He was once minister responsible for rural and remote health, as well as deputy government whip.

He was born in Biggar and still lives nearby.

The Speaker post comes with a $50,947 top up to the standard MLA pay of $100,068 per year. But it also comes with the headaches of controlling a sometimes raucous chamber. Docherty, for one, wasn't shy about expressing his exasperation in colourful language.

Premier Scott Moe joined NDP Leader Ryan Meili in thanking Docherty for his service as Speaker.

“It's a very important role, and you served it well,” said Meili.