Francis Scarpaleggia elected speaker of Canada's House of Commons

OTTAWA, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Canada's Liberal member of parliament Francis Scarpaleggia was elected the 39th speaker of the country's House of Commons on Monday as the newly-elected members of parliament returned after a five-month break to choose a new Liberal leader and hold a general election.

Scarpaleggia, born in June 1957, represents the riding of Lac-Saint-Louis in Quebec. He was first elected to the House of Commons in the 2004 federal election, and was re-elected consecutively for seven times.

Elected by fellow members of parliament through a secret ballot, the speaker oversees the sittings and proceedings of the House, maintaining order and decorum in the chamber, providing impartial interpretation of its rules, and defending the rights and privileges of its members.

The speaker also oversees the House of Commons administration, serves as its spokesperson in its relations with the Senate, the Crown, and other bodies outside the parliament, and fulfills various ceremonial and diplomatic duties.

Mark Carney's Liberal Party has won the parliamentary elections in Canada last month. The Liberals are sitting at 169 seats and Conservatives remain in official opposition, with 144 seats. Enditem