(legassembly.sk.ca)

By Cam Lee

Goudy discusses Speaker role

Partisanship put aside: Goudy relishes role as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Oct 29, 2025 | 1:51 PM

MLAs from across the province are back in Regina for the fall session of the Legislature.

The Speech from the Throne kicked things off last week, and for most representatives, they have weighed in on the government’s plans for the session.

SaskParty MLAs likely touted the government’s Strong, Safe, Secure messaging, while the opposition NDP representatives followed with challenges facing Saskatchewan in areas like health care and wildfire response.

However, one SaskParty MLA has a unique outlook and role – to be as non-partisan as possible.

Melfort’s Todd Goudy was named Speaker of the Legislative Assembly last fall, and in the role he must balance his role as an elected Sask. Party MLA with that of the Speaker, a non-partisan referee of sorts.

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Goudy must represent all members as Speaker.

“You facilitate all of the actions in the chamber, all of the debates, the discussions, the ceremony,” Goudy explained. “So basically, if it’s a courtroom, you’re the judge.”

He acknowledged it can be difficult sometimes to be that non-partisan arbitrator, but he’s come to really enjoy the role.

“At first it was confusing with all sorts of rules – there’s volumes of tradition and rules to understand, and process that doesn’t come natural to a politician,” Goudy said. “Yet once you begin to read through and understand the reason for the process it begins to make sense and you understand the benefit of our traditions and the rationale behind a lot of what we do in the chamber.”

Goudy had to alter his outlook slightly since being named Speaker, with fairness and equity becoming vital as opposed to the partisan politics other MLAs are able to display. He said he had positive relationships with other members prior to his new position, and that has helped facilitate his time as Speaker. However, he credits his fellow MLAs for their improved decorum in the Legislature.

“We have a real good team of MLAs on both sides of the Chamber, and I must say I really enjoy working with all of them.”

Goudy said the MLAs respect the role of the Speaker, but it is a little awkward sometimes to have to ‘be’ the Speaker in the Legislature rather than just a friend in the hallway. He understands that debate can get heated at times, and it comes from the MLAs passion to serve their constituents in a way they believe best suits their needs.

“They’re debating passionate things that matter to citizens they serve, so it’s expected in debate to have people passionate and [to] stand up for what they believe.”

The fall session will wrap up Dec. 5.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com