Peter Milliken, MP, being sworn in following his re-election as Member for Kingston and the Islands, with the Clerk of the House of Commons, William Corbett. January 8, 2001. House of Commons photo.

Personal History

Mr. Milliken was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. He was educated at Queen's, Oxford, and Dalhousie Universities. In 1973, he was called to the bar of Ontario and enrolled as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ontario. Mr. Milliken was a partner in a Kingston law firm from 1973 until 1988 before his election to Parliament.

Political Record

Mr. Milliken was first elected to the House of Commons in 1988 as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands and was re-elected in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and 2008. He held several positions including, in opposition, Party Critic for Election Reform and Associate Critic for Seniors, Assistant Party House Leader (House Business), Vice-Chairman of the Special Committee on Electoral Reform and Member of the Standing Committee on House Management. In government, Mr. Milliken served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs and Co-Chair of the Special Joint Committee on a Code of Conduct. In 1996, he was named Deputy Chairman of Committees of the Whole House. In 1997, Mr. Milliken was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committees of the Whole House. On January 29th, 2001, he was elected 34th Speaker of the House of Commons. He is the third Speaker in history to be chosen by a secret ballot cast by his fellow Members of the House of Commons. In June 2004, he was re-elected Member for Kingston and the Islands, and on October 4th, he was acclaimed Speaker of the House of Commons. Mr. Milliken was then re-elected as Speaker on April 3rd, 2006, and again on November 18th, 2008. He is also the Chair of the Board of Internal Economy.

The Honourable Peter Milliken, on the day of his election as 34th Speaker of the House of Commons, receiving the congratulations of his colleagues. January 29, 2001. Photo by Diana Murphy/PMO		The Speaker in his chair. Above him, members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. In front of him, the clerks at the Table. January 29, 2001. Photo by House of Commons.

Peter Milliken as Member of Parliament