(Rockland) – The grade 11 law students at Rockland District High School (RDHS) got a sneak peek into the world of the provincial legislature last Thursday during a visit from Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Steve Peters and Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde. Lalonde said this is the first time a Speaker has ever visited RDHS.

Peters was travelling through the area late last week and had chosen to visit RDHS upon recommendation by Lalonde. Thursday morning, Lalonde introduced Peters who spoke to the students and answered their questions regarding his political career, responsibilities and experiences.

“Something that was always of interest to me was the community where I lived,” he explained. “I wanted to have a say.”

Peters started out in municipal politics in 1988 after being elected to city council in St. Thomas, Ontario. In 1991, the 28-year-old became the youngest mayor in the country at that time. He was elected Liberal MPP of Elgin-Middlesex-London in 1999 and still holds the position today. In the same year, Peters was named opposition Critic for Persons with Disabilities, and from 2000 to 2003 was opposition Critic for Agriculture. Following the Liberal victory in 2003, Peters was named Minister of Agriculture and Food, and then re-appointed as Minister of Labour in 2005. Peters was elected Speaker in 2007.

Peters explained that as Speaker, it’s his job to act as a nonpartisan moderator of the house – even though he’s still a Liberal MPP elsewhere.

“The Speaker plays a role much like a referee or umpire would,” he said. “I demonstrate to all members of the house that I do not play politics. The Speaker has to understand how the house operates on both sides of the legislature.”

As the moderator, Peters explained that his varied responsibilities include enforcing standing orders and rules of language.

“A member cannot stand up and call another member a liar,” he said. “I have the ability to have that member removed from the chamber for the remainder of the day.”

Peters further explained his duties as Speaker which range from being an ambassador of the legislature who welcomes visitors to the country to having a say over what food is served at Queen’s Park.

“More than 80 per cent of what we eat is Ontario product,” he said.

In addition, Peters described his traditional uniform which includes a black robe and tricorn hat, and said that as Speaker, he is the sole resident of Queen’s Park. 

“I can never have an excuse to be late for work,” Peters joked.

During his presentation, Peters maintained three main messages to students – support local farmers, exercise your right to refuse unsafe work and exercise your future right to vote.

“Decisions politicians are making today will impact your future,” he said. “I’ll leave you with this message: If you don’t vote, don’t complain.”

Students Shelby Heinbuch and Chris Renaud said they learned a lot from Peters’ presentation. It was especially relevant to Heinbuch, who spent five weeks in 2006 as a Legislative Page.

“It was interesting and we did learn a lot about his role,” said Renaud.

“It was great,” added Heinbuch. “I think everything was covered well.”

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For more information please call:

Olga Grigoriev

Principal

Rockland District High School

613-446-7347

Posted December 23, 2009