House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Ways and Means. These titles derive from the Committee of Ways and Means, a body over which the chairman once used to preside; even though the Committee was abolished in 1967, the traditional titles of the Deputy Speakers are still retained. The Speaker and the Deputy Speakers are always members of the House of Commons. Whilst presiding, the Speaker or Deputy Speaker wears ceremonial dress. The presiding officer may also wear a wig, but this tradition was abandoned by Speaker Betty Boothroyd. Her successor, Michael Martin, also did not wear a wig while in the chamber. The current Speaker,
Speaker of the House of Commons (Canada) in the House of Commons, ultimately becoming party leader and Leader of the Opposition. On March 9, 2016 Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger served as honorary Speaker for about an hour to honour his years of service. Speaker Regan resumed his duties for the remainder of the sitting of the House. Mauril Bélanger was initially the front runner for the current role, but declined due to his being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Bélanger died on August 15, 2016, five months after being named honorary Speaker. The Speaker's counterpart in the upper house is the Speaker of the Senate of Canada.