House of Assembly of Dominica

Summary

The House of Assembly is the legislature of Dominica. It is established by Chapter III of the Constitution of Dominica, and together with the President of Dominica constitutes Dominica's Parliament. The House is unicameral, and consists of twenty-one Representatives, nine senators, and the Attorney General as an ex officio member. The Speaker of the House becomes the thirty-second member if chosen from outside the membership of the House.

House of Assembly of Dominica
11th Parliament
Type
Type
History
Founded1978
Leadership
Joseph Isaac[1]
since 10 February 2020
Structure
Seats32 members
Political groups
Governing party
  •   Dominica Labour Party (19)
  •   Government Senators (5)

Opposition party

  •   Opposition Senators (4)

Independent

  •   Independent (2)

Other members

Elections
Last election
6 December 2022
Meeting place
Roseau
Website
www.dominica.gov.dm
houseofassembly.gov.dm

Representatives are directly elected in single-member constituencies using the simple-majority (or first-past-the-post) system for a term of five years. The Representatives in turn decide whether the senators are to be elected by their vote, or appointed. If appointed, five are chosen by the president with the advice of the Prime Minister and four with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition. The current Senators are appointed.

The Cabinet of Dominica is appointed from members of the House of Assembly. However, no more than three senators may be members of the Cabinet.

History edit

 
The Parliament building in Roseau

House of Assembly was established in 1968, and it was preceded by a colonial Legislative council.[2]

Representatives edit

Since the election held on 6 December 2022, the Dominica Labour Party holds 19 of the 21 directly elected seats, and independent candidates hold two elected seats. The new House of Assembly included a record ten women.[3]

Constituency Representative Party Notes
Castle Bruce DrigoOctavia Alfred DLP
Colihaut Daren Pinard DLP
Cottage Roland Royer DLP
Grand Bay Vince Henderson DLP
La Plaine Cassandra WilliamsSaint-Jean DLP
Mahaut Cassanni Laville DLP
Marigot Anthony S. Charles IND
Morne Jaune/Riviere Cyrique StephensonGretta Bernadette Roberts DLP
Paix Bouche Lakeyia Joseph DLP
Petite Savanne Jullan Defoe DLP
Portsmouth Fenella Wenham DLP
Roseau Central Melissa Ponponne Skerrit DLP
Roseau North Miriam A. Blanchard DLP
Roseau South Chekirah N. Lockhart DLP
Roseau Valley Irving Francis McIntyre DLP
Salisbury Jesma Paul IND
Salybia Cozier Frederick, Cassius DLP
St. Joseph Darron T. Lloyd, Kelver DLP
Soufrière Charles, DeniseDenise Charles DLP Succeeded Ian Pinard in 2016 by-election.[4]
Vieille Case SkerritRoosevelt Skerrit DLP Assumed position of Prime Minister 8 January 2004.
Wesley Fidel GrantFidel Grant DLP

Senators edit

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition each get to appoint additional Senators, to join the elected Representatives. The following Senators are currently in office:[5][6][7]

Senator Party Notes
Austelle Lockhart DLP Appointed with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Oscar George DLP Appointed with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Gregory Riviere DLP Appointed with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Phillip Rolle DLP Appointed with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Nicholas Esprit DLP Appointed with the advice of the Prime Minister.
Lori Victor UWP Appointed with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.
Sean Douglas UWP Appointed with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.
Delbert Paris UWP Appointed with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.
Lorraine Henderson-Reid UWP Appointed with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

International affiliation(s) edit

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Dominica". 5 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Brief History - Electoral Office". electoraloffice.gov.dm.
  3. ^ "2022 General Election Results". electoraloffice.gov.dm. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  4. ^ DLP sweeps Soufriere by-election, Dominica News Online, 7 June 2016, retrieved 30 January 2017
  5. ^ "Speaker Joseph Isaac makes grand entrance". The Sun. 2020-03-04. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  6. ^ "Dominica: Opposition leader picks Senate delegation | Loop Caribbean News". Loop News. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  7. ^ Baptiste, Carlisle Jn (2022-12-12). "Skerrit names 22 member Cabinet • Nature Isle News". Nature Isle News. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
  8. ^ Caribbean Group, ParlAmericas

References edit

  • Electoral Office (21 December 2009), House of Assembly General Election 2009 - Final Count (PDF), Commonwealth of Dominica, archived from the original (PDF) on 19 July 2011, retrieved 22 April 2010.
  • House of Assembly - dominica.gov, Commonwealth of Dominica, retrieved 22 April 2010.
  • Lawrence, Alick C. (2007), The Constitution, The Government & You, Pont Casse Press, pp. 40–41, ISBN 978-0-9737347-5-1.

External links edit

  • Official website House of Assembly

About edit

  • Profile of the Parliament of Dominica - Secretariat of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
  • Dominica, Dominic Electoral system
  • Profile of Dominca - Inter-Parlmiamentary Union

Other edit

  • Laws of the Commonwealth of Dominca - Government portal
  • Official Gazette
  • Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica - official website

15°17′42″N 61°23′07″W / 15.2951°N 61.3852°W / 15.2951; -61.3852