Zwozdesky Elected New Speaker of Alberta Legislature

Members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly elected former cabinet minister and Edmonton Tory MLA Gene Zwozdesky as the new Speaker of the Alberta Legislature on May 23, 2012.

After the results of the secret ballot were announced, Premier Alison Redford and Official Opposition Leader Danielle Smith dragged Zwozdesky to the Speaker’s Chair, a nod to parliamentary tradition.

Zwozdesky replaces long-time Speaker Ken Kowalski who held the position for 15 years. Kowalski stepped down after deciding not to run in last month’s provincial election.

Zwozdesky told reporters he planned to speak to MLAs [on May 28] about what he calls his “five essential tenets.”

“I do have some specific priorities that I would like to address, beginning with increasing the civility and decorum in the House ... pursuing impartiality,” he said.

In addition to being the MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek, Zwozdesky has held a number of cabinet posts over his political career. Most recently, he was Minister of Health under former Premier Ed Stelmach.

However, he returned to the backbenches when Redford announced her first Cabinet last October.

In a news release, Redford praised Zwozdesky for his “natural exuberance and love for Alberta.”

“I have the utmost confidence that Gene will perform his responsibilities as Speaker with the grace, dignity and tenacity that he has demonstrated throughout his many years of community involvement and public service,” she said.

Liberal MLA Laurie Blakeman was the only other candidate in the race for Speaker.

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Gene Zwozdesky, new Speaker of Alberta Legislature