Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Président de l'Assemblée législative de l'Ontario) is the presiding officer of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Election
As with other Speakers that are modeled on the Westminster system, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is elected using a secret ballot. Since 1990, the position has been elected by MPPs in this manner. Previously, the Speaker had been appointed directly by the Premier of Ontario after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the third-largest party, and then ratified by the legislature. David Warner was the first Speaker to be elected by his or her peers. This change reflects a similar reform undertaken by the federal House of Commons in 1986.

The Speaker is required to perform his or her office impartially, but does not resign from his or her party membership upon taking office. This is identical to the system in place in the federal House of Commons, but stands in contrast to the Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. The only Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to have resigned his party affiliation upon election was Nelson Parliament, who was elected in 1920.

List of speakers of the Legislative Assembly
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List of current presiding officers
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is assisted by one other MPP who is, along with the Speaker, collectively known as the presiding officers. Standing Order 6 of the Legislative Assembly requires that the Deputy Speaker hail from a different party to the Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker is first in line to take the Chair in the absence of the Speaker. The Deputy Speaker is also ex officio the Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

The presiding officers are required to remain impartial in the Chair, but are not required to resign from their political party. They may participate in debate and vote as with any other member.

Residence
The Speaker maintains a residence at the Legislature, known as the Speaker's Apartment.