'I am honoured': Wellington-Halton Hills MPP re-elected as Speaker of Ontario Legislature

A local Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) was successfully re-elected as Speaker of the Ontario Legislature on Monday, with the support of a local opposition MPP.

Ted Arnott, MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, who served as speaker for the past four years, was re-elected in a secret ballot vote during the start of the government's summer session on Monday. 

"I am honored and privileged to continue serving as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario," Arnott told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo following the election. 

"I've got a job to do, and I want to work with all the members on both sides of the house," he added.

Arnott was nominated by long-time colleague Catherine Fife, who is the NDP MPP for Waterloo.

"I felt very honored that she chose to do so. I've known Catherine for many years and have a high regard and respect for the work that she does in Waterloo and in the province," he said. "We've known each other for years, even before she was elected to the legislature. I very much appreciate her support." 

Arnott was up against fellow PC MPP Nina Tangri, the representative for Mississauga-Streetsville, who served as associate minister of small business and red tape reduction before the election.

Despite his nomination coming from a member of the Official Opposition, Arnott said he wouldn't have been elected speaker without support from all sides.

"I'm not going to try and analyze or try to determine who supported me and who didn't. It's over now, and I think I have the responsibility to work with all the members. I welcome that opportunity and I look forward to doing the best job I can," he said.

Local issues raised

When Arnott was re-elected as MPP in June, he penned a four-page letter outlining voter concerns to Premier Doug Ford.

He raised an array of issues including health care, municipal funding, local transportation and senior housing. 

"I received a very nice response from the premier, acknowledging the receipt of the letter and expressing a willingness to listen and work with us on those issues," Arnott said on Monday. 

Some of the requests made in his letter include: A $15 million planning grant for Halton Healthcare's Georgetown Hospital so it can move forward with redevelopment and $20 million in funding for the Town of Erin's wastewater treatment system.  

Arnott said he plans to continue advocating for issues addressed in the letter.

Tuesday the legislature will reconvene for a throne speech, followed by an outline of the provincial budget.