Former Speaker and cabinet minister Perry Trimper is seeking another stint in as Speaker, while MHA Scott Reid is taking another swing at the job.
Trimper was first elected speaker in 2017, following the resignation of Cathy Bennett as Finance Minister. When then-Speaker Tom Osborne assumed the role of Finance Minister, Trimper won the speaker's role for the first time over challenger Pam Parsons.
Following the May provincial election, Trimper was called into cabinet to serve as Minister of Municipal Affairs. Trimper served less than a week in that role, after he accidentally left a voice mail on the answering machine of a representative of the Innu Nation. On the voice mail, Trimper is heard accusing the Innu of playing the "race card" in relation to their request for translation services for Innu Nation members taking driving tests.
Meanwhile, it's the second time Reid has sought the role. Reid challenged Osborne for the chair in 2016, in what was then the first ever race for Speaker in the province's history.
Premier Dwight Ball says unlike the first time Trimper ran for the job and Ball indicated his support for Trimper, he will not be backing anyone in the upcoming race.
"I'm not campaigning for anyone. I'm not involved," said Ball.
"We have 40 members in there. If they want to exercise their right to run for Speaker, they're more than welcome to."
The Speaker of the House of Assembly is tied for the second highest paid position in the House of Assembly. On top of the base salary of $95,357 for an MHA, the Speaker gets a top-up of $48,665 for the role. Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie also gets a $48,665 top-up for his role as Leader of the Official Opposition.
A cabinet minister gets a $48,664 raise for taking on the additional responsibilities of a minister. The premier gets an additional $65,168 for holding the position.
The election for Speaker is the first order of business when the House of Assembly opens on Monday.
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