EDMONTON — Alberta has a new Speaker of the legislature. Bob Wanner, the rookie NDP legislator for Medicine Hat, received a majority of votes from among all members in secret balloting in the legislature chamber.
Progressive Conservative member Dave Rodney was the only other candidate.
The final count among the 86 MLAs was not disclosed Wanner, who is 66, takes responsibility for all the offices and staff of the legislature building and is the referee during parliamentary debates.
Wanner was born and raised on a small grain and cattle farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan and a former University of Saskatchewan student.
Wanner says he decided to run in the May 5 election at the urging of his 15-year-old granddaughter, who told him it was time Alberta changed governments.
He replaces Tory MLA Gene Zwozdesky, who was defeated in the last election that saw Premier Rachel Notley and the NDP sweep to power.
Outgoing Speaker Gene Zwozdesky said his successor will have one of the busiest and most gratifying jobs in politics, but also one of the loneliest.
Zwozdesky said the Speaker, as the referee of debate in the house, needs to remain impartial.
He said that’s why, as a member of the Progressive Conservative caucus, he had to distance himself from colleagues and political events when the house was in session.
READ MORE: Wildrose criticizes Notley for taking direct role in picking next speaker
All legislature members voted in the secret ballot, but the majority NDP caucus already signalled it would endorse Medicine Hat MLA Wanner.
A short session of the legislature is to begin Monday with a speech from the throne.
With files from Global News
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