Liberal MP Greg Fergus elected as new House Speaker

History was made in the House of Commons in Ottawa today, as liberal MP Greg Fergus became the first Black person to be elected Speaker of the House.

The 54 year old was first elected to represent a Quebec riding in 2015. The House of Commons held a rare mid-sesion election for the new speaker after MP Anthony Rota resigned last week.

Seven people put their names forward to take his place, but Fergus – who was also the first to publicly say he wanted the job – took the title. The new speaker is starting at an unusual time, after what unfolded last week with his predecessor.

It’s going to be a challenge for him as he takes on his duties to help parliment move on from honoring Yaroslav Hunka in the House of Commons a little more than a week ago.