Canada's Parliament Elects First Black Speaker

It was a historic day at the House of Commons.

MP Greg Fergus was elected speaker of the House, the first Black Canadian to hold the role.

"Today you're the first Black Canadian to become speaker," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

"It should be inspiring for all Canadians, especially younger generations who want to get involved in politics."

The Quebec MP was first elected in 2015 - having spent time before that in the House of Commons working as a page - delivering water to some of the people he is now charged with keeping in line while the House is in session.

In a statement, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said racialized Canadians across the country can take pride that. Fergus is the first person of colour to hold the role of speaker, saying it’s important for racialized kids to see themselves reflected in the make-up of the House of Commons.

The election itself was history making. Former speaker Anthony Rota resigned last week, days after inviting a Canadian-Ukrainian man who served for the Nazis in WWII to the House of Commons, during a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.