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Greg Fergus: A Historic Journey to Becoming Canada’s First Black Speaker

admin — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 21:59:22 +0000

In a groundbreaking moment in Canadian political history, Greg Fergus made history as the first Black Canadian to hold the prestigious role of Speaker of the House of Commons. Replacing Anthony Rota, Fergus, a Liberal MP representing Hull—Aylmer in the National Capital Region of Quebec, achieved this historic milestone amidst a backdrop of international controversy. This article delves into the journey and responsibilities of Greg Fergus as the newly appointed Speaker, the significance of his appointment, and a glimpse into his personal and political background.

Greg Fergus: A Historic Appointment

Greg Fergus’s election as the Speaker of the House of Commons marked a momentous occasion not only for him but for all Canadians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, acknowledging the significance of this moment, hailed Fergus as the first Black Canadian to assume the role. After over a century and a half of exclusively white speakers, Fergus’s election is a significant step towards a more inclusive and diverse Canadian political landscape.

The Role of the Speaker

Fostering Respectful Debate

One of the key aspects of Greg Fergus’s vision for his role as Speaker is to ensure that parliamentary debates maintain a respectful tone. He emphasized the importance of treating fellow Members of Parliament (MPs) with respect, setting an example for Canadians. In a political climate often marked by heated exchanges, Fergus’s commitment to fostering mutual understanding and respect is a breath of fresh air.

Balancing Government Business and MPs’ Rights

The Speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between the government’s ability to conduct its business efficiently and the rights of all MPs as outlined in the House of Commons rules. They ensure that debates are conducted in an orderly manner, that votes are cast in case of ties, and that decorum is maintained within the chamber.

Administrative and Diplomatic Duties

Beyond the parliamentary chamber, the Speaker is the head of the House of Commons administration employees, responsible for its overall direction and management. They oversee matters of administrative and financial policy affecting the House and its members. Additionally, the Speaker represents the House in its interactions with the Senate, the Crown, and other external bodies, including diplomatic functions.

A Glimpse into Greg Fergus's Background

Before ascending to the role of Speaker, Greg Fergus’s life and career were marked by a commitment to public service and advocacy. Born in Montreal, Fergus hails from a family with roots in Montserrat, and he holds two bachelor’s degrees—one in social science from the University of Ottawa and another in international relations from Carleton University. His academic pursuits also included graduate studies in international relations.

Fergus’s political journey began with work as a policy adviser in various ministerial offices, followed by his appointment as the national director of the Liberal Party of Canada in 2007. Over three decades, he contributed his expertise to both the private and public sectors, including serving on the board of directors for Aylmer Arms, a residence for retired and semi-retired seniors.

In the realm of Canadian politics, Fergus made a significant impact. He served as the president of the Young Liberals of Canada from 1994 to 1996, a pivotal period when the youth wing voted to recognize same-sex marriage. His dedication to advancing social issues and civil rights was evident even in his earlier years.

The Rising Star MP

Greg Fergus’s journey in the world of Canadian politics reached new heights when he was first elected in 2015 to represent the Quebec riding of Hull—Aylmer. In a noteworthy victory, he flipped the seat from New Democratic control, defeating incumbent Nycole Turmel. Impressively, Fergus has secured victory in every subsequent election in the riding, consistently receiving over 50 percent of the vote.

Throughout his tenure, Fergus held parliamentary assistant positions in various ministries, including the minister of innovation, science, and industry, the minister of digital government, and the president of the Treasury Board. In 2021, he assumed the role of Parliamentary Secretary to both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Health Mark Holland, a testament to his increasing influence and responsibility within the Liberal government.

Greg Fergus also played a pivotal role in the formation of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, a group of MPs advocating for greater recognition and action against anti-Black racism in Canada. Their efforts included urging Prime Minister Trudeau to address this issue in 2018, further highlighting Fergus’s commitment to social justice and equality.

Greg Fergus Speaker and the Path Forward

In a historic moment that resonates far beyond the halls of Parliament, Greg Fergus has assumed the role of Speaker of the House of Commons, becoming the first Black Canadian to do so. His vision for a more respectful and collaborative parliamentary debate sets a positive tone for the future of Canadian politics. Greg Fergus’s journey from an advocate for social change to a prominent MP and now Speaker is a testament to his dedication to public service and his commitment to making Canada a more inclusive and equitable nation.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q1: Who is Greg Fergus Speaker, and why is his appointment significant?

Greg Fergus is a Liberal MP who made history by becoming the first Black Canadian to be elected as the Speaker of the House of Commons. His appointment is significant as it marks a momentous step towards a more diverse and inclusive Canadian political landscape.

Q2: What are the responsibilities of the Speaker of the House of Commons in Canada?

The Speaker’s role includes maintaining respectful parliamentary debates, balancing government business and MPs’ rights, overseeing administrative and financial matters, and representing the House in diplomatic interactions.

Q3: What is Greg Fergus’s background and political career before becoming Speaker?

Before becoming Speaker, Greg Fergus had a rich career in public service, working as a policy adviser, serving as the national director of the Liberal Party of Canada, and contributing to various sectors, including the private and public spheres.

Q4: What is the significance of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, and what role did Greg Fergus play in its formation?

The Parliamentary Black Caucus is a group of MPs advocating for greater recognition and action against anti-Black racism in Canada. Greg Fergus played a pivotal role in its formation, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue in Canadian society.

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African Canadian Senate Group Formed

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 17:40:47 +0000

The African Canadian Senate Group, formed by seven senators, will ensure that Black voices are heard in the upper chamber.

New group of African Canadian senators created to amplify Black voices. Senator Rosemary Moodie chairs the coalition, which also includes Senators Bernadette Clement, Amina Gerba, Mobina Jaffer, Marie-Francoise Megie, and Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia.

In a statement issued Thursday, the group stated that it is committed to combating racism and discrimination, as well as engaging with Canadians and advocating for their priorities. According to Jaffer, it is critical for African Canadian senators to have this space, in an institution that has a history of not always taking into account the unique needs, and lived experiences of Black people in Canada.

According to Moodie, democratic institutions have ignored their “voices, contributions, and priorities”, and the group is dedicated to reversing this trend. Priorities for Canada’s 44th Parliament will include, pursuing a “more inclusive committee process” in the Senate, and collaborating with community members to make progress on issues of “justice, health, and economic fairness.”

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Get to know Montreal Mayoral Candidate Balarama Holness

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 05:16:14 +0000

On May 20, 2021, he announced his candidacy for mayor of Montreal, as a candidate of the Mouvement Montréal party, in the 2021 Montreal municipal election. In 2019, he successfully petitioned the city to have public consultations on the police and municipal departments’ systemic prejudice and racism.

Winning the mayoralty would be the latest achievement in a 38-year career, that has included breaking into the CFL with his 5-foot-11-inch, 180-pound frame, being accepted into law school at McGill University after his sports career, and collecting the 22,000 petition signatures that legally forced the city to hold public hearings on racism, which culminated in a damning report that shook the ground all the way to the National Assembly.

Holness was nine months old when his parents divorced. He was born in Montreal to a Québécois mother (Murielle Beaudreau) and a Jamaican father (Bevin Holness).

Murielle Beaudreau relocated to a Hindu ashram in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia with Holness and his twin brother, Jagganatha – a place Holness describes as “Mount Royal times 50”, and where he felt like he was being raised by Mother Nature.

Balarama and his brother moved to Canada with their mother when they were ten years old, residing briefly in Rosemont, where he attended a welcoming class for immigrant children studying French.

Holness’ mother then relocated the family to Boisbriand, north of Montreal, where he discovered that “apparently, I’m a visible minority”. One classmate called him the N-word, while another said he had mud on his face.

His daughter is named after Marie-Joseph Angélique, a black slave from Portugal who lived in New France.

His first cousin is Jamaica’s current Prime Minister, Andrew Michael Holness.

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Annamie Paul, the federal Green Party’s leader, is stepping down

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2022 03:43:21 +0000

Paul announced her resignation this morning in Toronto, a week after her party’s share of the popular vote fell significantly in the federal election.

Paul stated that she is stepping down now because she cannot bear the prospect of a fractious leadership review, which was formally launched Saturday by members eager to replace her following the party’s poor showing in the 44th general election.

“I just asked myself whether this is something I wanted to continue, whether I was willing to put up with the attacks I knew would be coming, whether to continue to fight and struggle just to fulfil my democratically elected role as leader of this party,”

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that when you head into an election without funding for your campaign, when you head into an election without the staff to staff your campaign, when you head into an election without a national campaign manager, “when you head into an election being again under the threat of a court process from your party, it’s going to be very hard to convince people to vote for your party,”

“This was not easy. It has been extremely painful. It has been the worst period in my life, in many respects.”

“When I was elected and put in this role, I was breaking a glass ceiling. What I didn’t realize at the time is that I was breaking a glass ceiling that was going to fall on my head and leave a lot of shards of glass that I was going to have to crawl over throughout my time as a leader.”

“When I arrived at that debate stage, I had crawled over that glass, I was spitting up blood, but I was determined to be there. “I was determined to be there so that the next time someone like me thinks of running and wonders whether it’s possible to be on that stage, they will know that it is possible to do that.”

Paul became the first Black Canadian and Jewish woman to lead a federal party when she won the leadership election in October 2020 with 54% of the vote on the final ballot.

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