“We want Joe! We Want Joe!” chanted Bloc Québécois MP Micheal Guimond as he entered the room for the very first committee meeting of the 40th Session of Parliament.

The Procedure and House Affairs committee unanimously elected Elgin-Middlesex-London MP, Joe Preston as chair today.

“This committee is the ‘grand-daddy’ of all committees” said Mr. Preston as he took the chair. “We must work together to achieve consensus”.

The Procedure and House Affairs Committee is responsible for all procedural and administrative matters including Private Member’s Business and Elections Canada.

“The committee is the ‘mother-ship’ of committees. It’s pretty impressive stuff, and I congratulate Mr. Preston on his prestigious win” said Minister of State for Science and Technology, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, who chaired the committee in the past.

Preston was also appointed by Prime Minister Harper as the Ontario South West Caucus chair, making him a leading Government voice for the area stretching from West of Toronto, including Niagara to Windsor and North to Bruce-Grey-Owen-Sound. 

“This area, the manufacturing heartland of Canada, is currently facing great economic challenges during this time of global uncertainty and I will work hard, alongside my fellow Members of Parliament towards finding solutions” said Mr. Preston.

Joe was also re-appointed to the Board of Internal Economy.