During our orientation week, we had the opportunity to meet with the Honourable Ted Arnott, the 42nd Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The Speaker is responsible for presiding over the meetings of the House, ensuring adherence to procedural rules, and maintaining order and decorum.
We learned about his commitment to serving the House in a non-partisan role while balancing the needs of his constituents in Wellington-Halton Hills. The interns also appreciated learning about the collaborative nature of his role, and how it involves working with other key figures in the House, such as the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, who provide essential guidance in his decision-making process. This was our first time sitting in the Chamber; we enjoyed learning about its rich architectural history and were amazed by the restoration of the Chamber ceiling which uncovered Gustav Hahn's beautiful artwork.
We are grateful to Speaker Arnott and his Executive Assistant, OLIP alumna Rachel Nauta, for taking the time to welcome us to the Chamber and thoughtfully answer our questions. Their warm welcome was an incredible start to our time at Queen’s Park!
