With Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet named, all eyes at Queen’s Park turn to the election of the Speaker of the House, a plum position with extra salary and perks.
Dave Levac has confirmed he will put his name forward for the job he’s held since 2011 but he is facing competition from both opposition parties and within his own ranks.
NDP MPP from Parkdale-High ParkCheri Di Novo, PC MPP from Chatham-Kent-Essex Rob Nicholls and Liberal MPP from Etobicoke North Shafiq Qaadri are all hoping to replace Levac.
One more yet to be named candidate is also considering a run.
MPPs running for Speaker traditionally meet with the caucus of each party to try and win votes but with the legislature coming back so quickly after the election, the parties have decided not to hold caucus meetings with candidates. That means it will be up to individual candidates to press the flesh and bend the ears of the 107 MPPs in the house.
The Speaker will be elected by secret vote in the house on July 2. The successful candidate gets a $36,000 bump in pay and posh apartment in the legislature.
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