Speeches

It may surprise you to know that, in spite of his title, the Speaker of the House of Commons is rarely given the opportunity to speak. The title of Speaker derives from his duty to speak outside the Chamber on behalf of all Members, not from his role inside the Chamber.

However, outside the House of Commons, the Speaker is often asked to address different groups on a variety of topics. The Speaker welcomes incoming foreign dignitaries, leads parliamentary delegations to other countries, and meets with Canadian and international organisations, both at home and abroad. He visits schools to speak to students, and regularly returns to his riding to meet with his constituents and discuss the issues that are important to them.