Doug defied

Also: Chamber floor plan, MPPs welcomed back with a protest, Liberal critics, teeing up the Throne Speech and budget

ABOVE THE FOLD

IT’S A DRAG — PC MPPs did not toe the party line when returning TED ARNOTT to the post of Speaker as their first order of legislative business.

As the 43rd Parliament kicked off on Monday afternoon, PCer NATALIA KUSENDOVA nominated NINA TANGRI — a former junior Minister and Premier DOUG FORD’s pick for the job of MPP referee.

Government House Leader PAUL CALANDRA had also come out in favour of Tangri, who would have been the first woman Speaker in provincial history — but it wasn’t enough of a leg-up.

Arnott, who held the role in the last Parliament, was nominated by the Opposition NDP and Liberals, who “dragged” him up to the Speaker’s chair when he won, per parliamentary tradition.

Arnott enters the Speaker’s apartment in the Legislative building. Photo: Getty

Because the PCs have an 83-seat majority, for Arnott to win meant some members on the government bench voted against Tangri, Ford’s pick. But we’ll never know who voted which way.

The vote for Speaker is the only…