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CP NewsAlert: Alberta cabinet minister Ric McIver voted in as new legislature Speaker

  • The Canadian Press

  • Canadian Press

  • May 13, 2025

Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith introduce legislation addressing agreements between the federal government and provincial entities in Edmonton on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson.

EDMONTON -- Calgary legislature member Ric McIver is the new Speaker of the Alberta legislature.

McIver was selected in a vote of his peers in the chamber, defeating Opposition NDP candidate Heather Sweet.

Just hours earlier, McIver resigned from his job as minister of municipal affairs.

The Speaker's job became vacant last week after Nathan Cooper announced he was stepping down in order to represent Alberta's interests in Washington D.C.

The role of the Speaker is to be the non-partisan referee during question period and debate.

Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver's portfolio on an interim basis.

More coming.