Buck Watts elected speaker of the P.E.I. Legislature

Buck Watts, Liberal MLA for Tracadie-Hillsborough Park, was elected speaker of the P.E.I. Legislature Wednesday.

It was the first time in 18 years there was an election for the role. Other Liberal MLAs who put their name forward were Kathleen Casey, Bush Dumville and Janice Sherry.

After the first secret-ballot vote, Sherry was dropped from the ballot.

The next vote showed a majority vote for Watts.

"It is my pleasure today to express my grateful acknowledgment of the honour conferred on me by the house in electing me as its speaker," said Watts.

"Conscious as I am of my comparative inexperience in parliamentary procedure, I would have hesitated in accepting a position involving so much responsibility were it not for the fact that I know I shall be, at all times, to rely with confidence upon the courtesy, forbearance and kindness of every member of the assembly."

Watts was a successful fisherman and businessman before entering politics.

He was first elected to the P.E.I. Legislature in 2007.

The deputy speaker is Sony Gallant, the MLA for Evangeline-Miscouche.