Donna Skelly Named First Female Speaker of Ontario’s Legislature

Donna Skelly speaks from the chair after being elected Speaker of the Ontario legislature at Queens Park in Toronto on April 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Progressive-Conservative MPP Donna Skelly has been selected by the members of Ontario’s legislature to serve as the province’s first female Speaker.

Skelly, a former television reporter, has been serving as the PC representative for the Hamilton-area riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook since 2018, and previously held the position of Deputy Speaker.

She assumes the position of the 43rd Speaker of Ontario following the retirement of Ted Arnott, who had served in the role for nearly seven years.

“It’s overwhelming,” she told reporters after the vote. “It’s 2025, and yes, we’re just now electing a female Speaker. But it is such a privilege. It really is. When I say I’m humbled, I genuinely, I really am. I’m very emotional. It’s just so incredible.”

Skelly, 63, entered politics after a 30-year career in broadcast journalism. She told reporters she hopes to bring a professional tone to question period with “less chaos.”

Skelly won the position of Speaker after defeating the NDP’s Jennifer French, who has served Oshawa as MPP since 2014. The election of the Speaker is one of the rare instances in which members have the opportunity to vote in secret, meaning members do not have to toe the party line.

Premier Doug Ford called the day historic before the vote, noting that for the first time in the province’s history only female candidates were vying for the spot.

“Today, the Ontario legislature made history by electing its first-ever female speaker. Congratulations [Donna Skelly] on this incredible achievement,” Ford said in a social media post.

“Our government has an ambitious agenda. I look forward to working with you as we deliver on the mandate the people gave us to protect Ontario.”

Official Opposition and NDP Leader Marit Stiles also took to social media to congratulate Skelly.

“Congrats to [Donna Skelly] on becoming Ontario’s first female Speaker—a proud moment for the Legislature. Wishing you all the best in this important role,” she wrote.

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner called Skelly’s win a “significant milestone.”

“We look forward to a productive and collegial legislative session under Speaker Skelly’s guidance, and we are committed to working across party lines to put Ontarians first,” Schreiner said in a statement.

Electing a Speaker was the only business conducted by the legislature on the first day back since February’s provincial election. Members are scheduled to reconvene on April 15 for the government’s throne speech, which will detail its priorities for the upcoming session.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.