Peter Milliken
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The Honourable Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken UE, MP, BA, MA, LLB
34th Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons
Incumbent
Assumed office January 29, 2001
Governor General
Adrienne ClarksonMichaëlle Jean
Prime Minister
Jean ChrétienPaul MartinStephen Harper
Preceded by
Gilbert Parent
Member of the Canadian Parliamentfor Kingston and the Islands
Incumbent
Assumed office 1988 federal election
Preceded by
Flora MacDonald
Born
November 12, 1946 (1946-11-12) (age 63)Kingston, Ontario
Political party
Liberal
Profession
Solicitor and barrister, lawyer, politician
Religion
United Church of Canada
Peter Andrew Stewart Milliken, MP (born November 12, 1946) is a Canadian lawyer and politician. He has been a member of the Canadian House of Commons since 1988, and has served as Speaker of the House since 2001. Milliken represents the Ontario riding of Kingston and the Islands as a member of the Liberal Party. As Speaker of the House of Commons, he is entitled to be styled The Honourable while in office. On October 12, 2009, he became the longest serving Speaker of the House of Commons in Canadian history.[1]
Milliken is the cousin of John Matheson, a former Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) best known for his prominent role in adopting the red maple leaf as the Flag of Canada.[2]
Contents[hide]
1 Early life and career
2 Member of Parliament
3 Speaker of the House
4 Tables of offices held
5 External links
6 Electoral record
7 Footnotes
//
[edit] Early life and career
Milliken was born in Kingston, Ontario, the eldest of seven children to a physician father,[3] and is a descendant of United Empire Loyalists who left the new United States of America after the American Revolution. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Queen's University (1968), a Bachelor of Arts (1970) and Master of Arts (1978) in Jurisprudence from Oxford University in England, and a Bachelor of Laws (1971) degree from Dalhousie University.[4] He was active in student politics, and served a year as speaker of the student government's assembly at Queen's. In 1967-68, he worked as a special assistant to federal cabinet minister George J. McIlraith.[5]
Called to the Ontario Bar in 1973, Milliken was a partner in a prestigious Kingston law firm before entering political life. He also lectured on a part-time basis at the Queen's University School of Business from 1973 to 1981, became a governor of the Kingston General Hospital in 1977, and has been a trustee with the Chalmers United Church.[6] As a consultant, he produced the Milliken Report on the future of Queen's University athletics in the late 1970s. A fan of classical music, he has sung with the Pro Arte Singers and the Chalmers United Church Choir as well as serving on the board of the Kingston Symphony.[7] He also often canoes, taking week long trips in northern Canada.[3] In 2001, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam.[8] He is an honorary member of the Royal Military College of Canada, and an Honorary Patron of Choirs Ontario.
Milliken has long been active in political matters, having served as president of the Kingston and the Islands provincial Liberal Party Association in the 1980s. He subscribed to the Canadian House of Commons Hansard at age sixteen, and once wrote a thesis paper on Question Period.[9] Unlike most MPs, he was already well-versed in parliamentary procedure at the time of his first election.[10]
[edit] Member of Parliament
Milliken won the Kingston and the Islands Liberal nomination in 1988 over local alderman Alex Lampropoulos,[11] and defeated well-known Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Flora MacDonald by 2,712 votes in the 1988 general election. The Progressive Conservatives won the election with a majority government, and in early 1989 Milliken was named as the Liberal Party's critic for electoral reform, associate critic for senior citizens, and whip for eastern and northern Ontario.[12] Shortly thereafter, he was named to the parliamentary standing committee on elections, privileges, procedures and private members' business.[13] He supported Jean Chrétien for the federal Liberal leadership in 1990.[14]
He was easily re-elected in the 1993 election, as the Liberal Party won a majority government, and was named to a two-year term as parliamentary secretary to the Government House Leader in December 1993. He also became chair of the Commons procedure and House affairs committee.[15] Milliken was a leading candidate for Speaker of the House in January 1994, but lost to Gilbert Parent.
Milliken supported fellow Kingstonian John Gerretsen for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party in 1996 and moved to the camp of the eventual winner, Dalton McGuinty, after Gerretsen was eliminated on the second ballot.[16] In the same year, Milliken and fellow Liberal MP John Godfrey introduced the Godfrey-Milliken Bill as a satirical response to the American Helms-Burton Act.[17] The Bill, which would have allowed the descendants of United Empire Loyalists to claim compensation for land seized in the American Revolution, was drafted in response to provisions in the Helms-Burton Act which sought to punish Canadian companies for using land nationalised by Fidel Castro's government in Cuba.[18] Godfrey and Milliken gave a twenty-minute presentation on their bill in Washington, D.C. in early 1997, and were greeted with warm applause from local Helms-Burton opponents.[19]
Milliken was re-elected for a third term in 1997 election, and became Deputy Speaker of the House for the parliament that followed.[20]
[edit] Speaker of the House
Milliken (left) along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper as US President Barack Obama signs the Parliament guest book on February 19, 2009
Milliken was elected Speaker of the House in late January 2001, after five ballots of a secret vote of all MPs held at the first sitting of parliament following the 2000 federal election.[21] He was widely praised by government and opposition MPs for his rulings, which were considered very fair.[22] He also brought new life to the chair in delivering his rulings and remarks with a sarcastic humour. Elected for his fifth term in 2004, he was the unanimous choice of MPs to be re-elected Speaker for the next parliament.[23]
In 2005, Milliken prevented an early federal election by breaking a tie vote on the second reading of Bill C-48, an amendment to the 2005 federal budget, which was a confidence motion. The vote was 152 in favour and 152 against prior to his vote, and he voted in favour of the bill. The Speaker does not vote except in the case of a tie, and must vote in such a way as to keep the matter open for further consideration if possible (i.e. passing C-48 to allow further debate for a third reading). This was the first time that a Speaker used his tie-breaker vote on a confidence motion.[24]
Wikinews has related news: Speaker breaks tie by voting for Canadian budget
Milliken won his riding for a sixth time in the 2006 election, as the Conservative Party won a minority government nationally. Though his party is no longer in government, he was re-elected as Speaker of the House for the 39th Parliament on April 3, 2006, defeating fellow Liberals Diane Marleau and Marcel Proulx on the first ballot.[25] With his re-election, he became only the second Speaker chosen from an opposition party in the history of the House of Commons (James Jerome being the other).[26]
In February 2007, Milliken rejected the Conservative government's challenge of an opposition bill that commits the government to implement the Kyoto Accord. The government argued that the bill introduced new spending, and could not be introduced by someone who was not a minister. Milliken ruled that the bill did not specifically commit the government to any new spending, and was therefore in order. The bill was approved by the house, despite government opposition.[27]
Milliken was re-elected for a seventh term in the 2008 federal election. On November 18, after five ballots, he was elected for the fourth time as Speaker. On October 12, 2009, he became the longest serving Canadian House of Commons speaker in history.[28]
As Speaker, Milliken only votes in order to break a tie. Speakers of the House of Commons have only needed to vote eleven times in Canadian parliamentary history. Milliken has done so on six occasions, more than any previous Speaker.[1]
On March 18, 2010, the three opposition parties asked Milliken to make a pivotal ruling on a question of privilege (specifically the power to send for persons, papers and records) in regards to Parliament's request for documents on the transfer of Afghan detainees, a notable issue in 2009 and 2010.[29][30][31][32][33] On April 27, 2010, Milliken ruled that Parliament had a right to ask for uncensored documents. He asked that all House leaders, ministers and MPs to come to a collective solution by May 11, 2010 "without compromising the security and confidentiality contained." [34] [35].
[edit] Tables of offices held
Parliament of Canada
Preceded byFlora MacDonald
Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands1988-
Succeeded byIncumbent
[edit] External links
Peter Milliken's 2008 Federal Election Campaign Website
Peter Milliken's Constituency Website
The Speaker of the House of Commons (Canada) Website
Federal Political Biography from the Library of Parliament
[edit] Electoral record
Canadian federal election, 2008
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Peter Milliken
22,732
39.1%
Conservative
Brian Abrams
18,887
32.5%
New Democrat
Rick Downes
10,151
17.5%
Green
Eric Walton
6,382
11.0%
Total valid votes
58,152
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
61.9%
2006 federal election : Kingston and the Islands edit
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Expenditures
Liberal
(x)Peter Milliken
28,548
45.86
$51,250.50
Conservative
Lou Grimshaw
16,230
26.07
$60,915.12
New Democratic Party
Rob Hutchison
11,946
19.19
$28,094.39
Green
Eric Walton
5,006
8.04
$18,532.43
Independent
Karl Eric Walker
296
0.48
Canadian Action Party
Don Rogers
222
0.36
$6,359.50
Total valid votes
62,248
100.00
Total rejected ballots
240
Turnout
62,488
65.97
Electors on the lists
94,720
2004 federal election : Kingston and the Islands edit
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Expenditures
Liberal
(x)Peter Milliken
28,544
52.45
$45,543.70
Conservative
Blair MacLean
12,582
23.12
$83,209.34
New Democratic Party
Rob Hutchison
8,964
16.47
$18,440.27
Green
Janina Fisher Balfour
3,339
6.13
$14,087.39
Christian Heritage
Terry Marshall
481
0.88
$1,652.04
Independent
Rosie The Clown Elston
237
0.44
$134.54
Canadian Action Party
Don Rogers
179
0.33
$6,285.00
Independent
Karl Eric Walker
100
0.18
$670.21
Total valid votes
54,426
100.00
Total rejected ballots
175
Turnout
54,601
60.32
Electors on the lists
90,523
2000 federal election : Kingston and the Islands edit
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Expenditures
Liberal
(x)Peter Milliken
26,457
51.69
$38,161.64
Progressive Conservative
Blair MacLean
9,222
18.02
$58,975.69
Canadian Alliance
Kevin Goligher
7,904
15.44
$28,534.05
New Democratic Party
Gary Wilson
4,951
9.67
$27,262.77
Green
Chris Milburn
2,652
5.18
$4,200.19
Total valid votes
51,186
100.00
Total rejected ballots
203
Turnout
51,389
58.53
Electors on the lists
87,793
1997 federal election : Kingston and the Islands edit
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Expenditures
Liberal
(x)Peter Milliken
25,632
49.51
$39,224
Progressive Conservative
Helen Cooper
11,296
21.82
$44,719
Reform
Dave Clarke
6,761
13.06
$33,384
New Democratic Party
Gary Wilson
6,433
12.42
$28,694
Green
Chris Walker
902
1.74
$1,748
Christian Heritage
Terry Marshall
751
1.45
$127
Total valid votes
51,775
100.00
Total rejected ballots
239
Turnout
52,014
62.77
Electors on the lists
82,869
1993 federal election : Kingston and the Islands edit
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Expenditures
Liberal
(x)Peter Milliken
32,372
56.46
$45,912
Progressive Conservative
Barry Gordon
10,935
19.07
$54,157
Reform
Sean McAdam
7,175
12.51
$32,259
New Democratic Party
Mary Ann Higgs
4,051
7.06
$22,979
National
Chris Papadopoulos
1,768
3.08
$8,171
Christian Heritage
Terry Marshall
663
1.16
$1,442
Natural Law
Chris Wilson
376
0.66
$0
Total valid votes
57,340
100.00
Total rejected ballots
369
Turnout
57,709
60.65
Electors on the lists
95,154
1988 federal election : Kingston and the Islands edit
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Liberal
Peter Milliken
23,121
40.62
Progressive Conservative
(x)Flora MacDonald
20,409
35.86
New Democratic Party
Len Johnson
11,442
20.10
Christian Heritage
Terry Marshall
1,646
2.89
Libertarian
John Hayes
301
0.53
Total valid votes
56,919
100.00
Total rejected ballots
269
Turnout
57,188
74.26
Electors on the lists
77,014
All electoral information is taken from Elections Canada. Italicized expenditures from elections after 1997 refer to submitted totals, and are presented when the final reviewed totals are not available. Expenditures from 1997 refer to submitted totals.
[edit] Footnotes
^ a b http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1147275.html
^ Jennifer Ditchburn, "Peter Milliken fascinated by Commons workings from an early age", Canadian Press, 29 January 2001, 18:04 report.
^ a b http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2139409&p=1
^ Peter Milliken biographical sketch, "Canada votes 2006", Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
^ Judi McLeod, "Gentleman Politician", Kingston Whig-Standard, 5 August 1988, p. 1.
^ Lynn Messerschmidt, "Longtime Liberal challenges city councillor for nomination", Kingston Whig-Standard, 9 March 1988, p. 1.
^ Anne Kershaw, "Peter Milliken: Liberal Party", Kingston Whig-Standard, 19 November 1988, p. 1.
^ Peter Milliken, Commencement Address to the State University of New York at Potsdam, 20 May 2001.
^ Jeffrey Simpson, "Speaking of politics: a race too close to call", Globe and Mail, 10 January 2001, A15.
^ Stevie Cameron, "Time will tell whether promising neophytes produce a good show", Globe and Mail, 24 November 1988, A2.
^ Carol Goar, "The first time Bill MacAleer ...", Toronto Star, 26 May 1988.
^ Bill Hutchison, "Milliken appointed to shadow cabinet", Kingston Whig-Standard, 7 February 1989, p. 1.
^ "Milliken appointed to special Commons committee", Kingston Whig-Standard, 18 April 1989, p. 1.
^ Geoff Pounsett, "Missing Meech deadline won't kill Canada: Chrétien", Kingston Whig-Standard, 28 May 1990, p. 2.
^ Hugh Winsor, "Chrétien grooms rookies", Globe and Mail, 7 December 1993, A1; "MPs may try to halt change in ridings", Hamilton Spectator, 15 March 1994, C9.
^ Murray Hogben, "Local delegates had plenty of decisions to make", Kingston-Whig Standard, 2 December 1996.
^ "Beware the wrath of the Loyalists", Financial Post, 25 July 1996, p. 12 and Allan Fotheringham, "Ridicule is the best policy when taking on Helms-Burton", Financial Post, 27 July 1996, p. 17.
^ "MPs mock Helms-Burton at Congress", Globe and Mail, 12 February 1997, N10.
^ Kathleen Kenna, "U.S. crowd applauds MPs' jabs at Cuba law", Toronto Star, 12 February 1997, A16.
^ "PM makes Reform MP a deputy Speaker", Globe and Mail, 24 September 1997, A4.
^ Broadcast News, 29 January 2001, 16:34 report.
^ Graham Fraser, "It's High Noon and he's the marshal", Toronto Star, 9 June 2001, NR04.
^ "Peter Milliken is the unanimous choice of M-P's to be speaker of the House of Commons", Broadcast News, 4 October 2004, 11:07 report.
^ John Ward, "Speaker's tie-breaking vote to save the minority government was a first", Canadian Press, 19 May 2005, 17:54 report.
^ Brock Harrison, "Speaker's job still available", Kingston Whig-Standard, 7 February 2006, p. 1.
^ There was also an "opposition speaker" in the 1926, although the circumstances were much different. Rodolphe Lemieux, a Liberal, was chosen as speaker during the Liberal government of William Lyon Mackenzie King, and continued to serve in that capacity after King's government was defeated and a new ministry formed by Arthur Meighen of the Conservative Party.
^ Allan Woods, "Honour Kyoto, House tells PM", Toronto Star, 15 February 2007, A1.
^ John Ward, "Commons Speaker marks milestone", The Canadian Press, 12 October 2009.
^ Daniel Leblanc (March 18 and 19, 2010). "Opposition asserts supremacy of Parliament in Afghan detainee issue". Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/opposition-asserts-supremacy-of-parliament-in-afghan-detainee-issue/article1505189/. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
^ Tim Naumetz (March 22, 2010). "Opposition parties push for a showdown over Afghan documents, PM's power to prorogue". The Hill Times. http://www.hilltimes.com/page/view/opposition-03-22-2010. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
^ Hansard (December 10, 2009). "40th PARLIAMENT, 2nd SESSION; EDITED HANSARD • NUMBER 128; CONTENTS; Thursday, December 10, 2009; Business of Supply; Opposition Motion--Documents Regarding Afghan Detainees: (preceding line 1650)". Hansard. http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=40&Ses=2&DocId=4318474#Int-3015650. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
^ CBC News (March 18, 2010). "Afghan documents debate heats up". CBC News. http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/03/18/parliament-afghan-detainee-documents.html. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
^ Aaron Wherry (April 13, 2010). "Colvin redux". Maclean's. http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/04/13/colvin-redux/. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
^ CBC News (27 April 2010). "Afghan records denial is privilege breach: Speaker". CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/04/27/afghan-detainee-documents-speaker-milliken-privilege-ruling.html. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
^ [1]
