October 17, 2011
First Session of 40th Manitoba Legislature to Open this Week with Election of New Speaker, Speech from the Throne
The first session of the 40th Manitoba legislature will open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 to elect a new Speaker of the house to replace outgoing Speaker George Hickes, Premier Greg Selinger announced today. The reading of the speech from the throne by Lt.-Gov. Philip Lee is expected to begin shortly after 1:30 p.m.
The speech from the throne will outline the government’s main priorities for the following legislative session and its next four-year mandate, said Selinger, adding the house is scheduled to adjourn on Nov. 1.
The election of a new Speaker will be Manitoba’s first since 1999, when members of the assembly first elected Hickes.
The premier said MLAs elected in Manitoba’s 40th general election will be sworn in on Wednesday, prior to the opening of the new session.
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