Bill Oliver, the MLA for Kings Centre, was elected speaker of the legislature on Oct. 7, 2020. (Photo: New Brunswick legislature video capture)
The Progressive Conservative MLA for Kings Centre has been elected the next speaker of the legislature.
Bill Oliver was escorted to his new seat by Premier Blaine Higgs and interim Liberal leader Roger Melanson.
“I realize that, according to tradition, I am to accept this chair reluctantly, but in truth, I accept this honour with great humility and respect,” Oliver told the legislature Wednesday afternoon.
Oliver was first elected to the legislature in 2014. He was re-elected in 2018 and 2020.
The former transportation minister said he should have hesitated to accept the position given his “compared inexperience” with parliamentary procedure.
But Oliver said he knows he will be able to rely “with confidence” on his legislative colleagues for help.
During a short address in the legislature, Oliver paid tribute to Brenda Roberton, the province’s first female MLA, who died in September.
“I was fortunate in 2017 and I had the privilege of meeting her. She was charming and she reflected on stories of her political career with her friend Paul D’Astous. I sat and listened and felt honoured to have shared that time with her,” he said.
Oliver also thanked his family, including his wife and son, for their support during his political career.
“I never expected when I served as the executive assistant to speaker [Bev] Harrison back in 1999 that someday I would stand in his place as the speaker. It has indeed been a journey,” he said.
“I can only imagine how proud my parents would be if they were here to share today’s ceremony.”
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