It Seems Rather A "Pitt"y

Madam Speaker Jeanne Sauve

Mrs. Angela Pitt, MLA, Wildrose, Airdie

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.

#6, 14504-108 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

June XXIIIrd, MMXV

Hon. Dave Eggen, B. Ed., MLA

Minister of Education,

New Democratic, Edmonton-Calder

Dear Dave:

As an invited guest of the Hon. Sarah Hoffman, BA, MLA, Minister of Health, New Democratic, Edmonton-Glenora to the election of the Speaker, I find the comments made in Hansard by Angela Pitt, MLA, Wildrose, Airdrie quite fascinating. History students are right in terms of accepting Ange's statement that there has never been a female Speaker of a parliamentary assembly in Alberta. Although we of course have had Deputy Speaker & Former Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski, Progressive Conservative.

However, it seems rather a "Pitt"y that Ange has forgotten her parliamentary history by saying we have never had one single female Speaker in The Dominion Of Canada or other parliamentary jurisdictions. May I remind the Honourable Lady that we had Her Excellency The Right Honourable Jeanne Mathilde Sauve, PC, CC, CMM, CD as the first female Speaker Of The House Of Commons from MCMLXXX-MCMLXXXIV (1980-1984) who was the Liberal MP at points for the Quebec ridings of Ahuntsic & later Laval-des-Rapides. Then later on becoming the XXIIIrd Governor-General of Canada from MCMLXXXIV-MCMXC (1984-1990.)

I would have loved a female Speaker here to but when the Hon. Rachel Notley, BA, LLB, MLA, Premier, New Democratic, Edmonton-Strathcona announced that she was backing the Hon. Bob Wanner, BA, MBA, MLA, New Democratic, Medicine Hat, it was a vote for Speaker that was merely a formality. However I do appreciate Ange's enthusiasm in bringing forth the idea that a female be elected to be the "ringmaster" in the Legislative Assembly Chamber at some point in the future! 

That Would Be A Great Dynamic,

Rory

Source: Www.Parl.Gc.Ca & The Privy Council Office Of The Dominion Of Canada (Archives) & Www.Assembly.Ab.Ca & Roberts Rules Of Order.