Mark Docherty elected speaker of Sask. Legislative Assembly

MarkDocherty is the new speaker at the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

The MLA for Regina CoronationParkwas elected to the position Monday by 57 MLAs after five ballots of voting.

Tochor, who has been speaker since 2016,resigned from the position in January and declared his intention to challenge MP Brad Trost for the Conservative nomination of the Saskatoon-University riding in the next federal election. Tochorwonthat nomination over the weekend.

Seven MLAs submitted applications for the position of speaker, six of whom are from the Saskatchewan Party.

The candidates included Docherty, Glen Hart, Delbert Kirsch,Warren Michelson,Colleen Young andEric Olausonfrom the Saskatchewan Party, andDanielleChartierfrom the NDP.

Following his election, Dochertywalkedto his new post linked arm-in-arm with Premier Scott Moe and NDPleader Ryan Meili, as is the tradition.

As he donned the traditional tricornhathe laughed and said, "That was the reason why I ran."

The speaker essentially referees the Legislative Assembly and enforces the rules.

The speaker is also expected to be non-partisan and impartial.