NEWSCouncillor Frances Nunziata and Councillor John Parker elected Speaker and Deputy SpeakerCity Council has elected Ward 11 Councillor Frances Nunziata as Speaker for the 2010-2014 term. Ward 26 Councillor John Parker has been elected Deputy Speaker. The Speaker presides over meetings of Toronto City Council in place of the Mayor, although the Mayor may take the chair at any time he desires. Unlike the Speakers of the provincial and federal legislatures, the City Council Speaker has no additional duties beyond presiding over meetings. While most Ontario municipal councils are chaired by a Mayor, Warden or Reeve, the City of Toronto adopted a Speaker in 2006 on the recommendation of an expert governance panel. Having a Speaker chair meetings allows the Mayor to participate more freely in debate without worrying about the additional duties of running the meeting. Councillor Frances Nunziata is the second Speaker elected by Council. Former Councillor Sandra Bussin was the first Speaker, serving from 2006-2010 |