OTTAWA — Liberal MP Anthony Rota has been elected Speaker of the House of Commons. And Conservatives say he has them to thank for beating out fellow Liberal Geoff Regan, who had been Speaker during the last session of Parliament and wanted to continue. The Conservatives, with 121 seats, didn’t have the numbers to elect one of their own to the challenging post of refereeing the Commons. But they could ensure Rota, who had served in the last Parliament as one of Regan’s deputies, came out on top. Returning senators greeted one another with warm hugs and handshakes, looking rested and ready for a new session of Parliament.

Source: National Post December 05, 2019 15:29 UTC