SKEENA – Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen has been voted by his fellow parliamentarians as being the best orator in the House of Commons for 2016.
The award was voted on in secret by Members of Parliament and the category was one of eight sponsored by Maclean's magazine and announced last night.
The awards weren't given out last year because of the federal election but in 2014, Cullen was also recognized as being the most knowledgeable MP.
“I’m truly humbled to have won this award, and very thankful to my colleagues for voting me this honour,” said Cullen in a statement.
“My best speeches are when I'm able to talk about the BC's Northwest and the amazing people who make it home.”
In its profile of Cullen, Maclean's noted he mostly speaks without notes.
“Cullen is also one of question period’s more nuanced participants, mindful of broader issues and not obsessed with minutiae. He also watches his tone carefully, and insists that can make all the difference in how his colleagues on the other side of the aisle interpret his words,” the article stated.
It also noted that the Skeena – Bulkley Valley riding is remote and is the size of Poland.
Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose was voted the hardest working MP while NDP leader Tom Mulcair was chosen as the overall parliamentarian of the year for 2016.