Cyril Lloyd Francis

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Cyril Lloyd Francis, PC , Ph.D. , MA (born March 19, 1920) is a former Canadian politician and one time Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons.

Following service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, Francis earned a Master of Arts (MA) and doctorate (Ph.D) in economics, and lectured in the discipline from 1948 to 1951 at the University at Buffalo. He then joined the Department of National Health and Welfare in Ottawa as a senior economist.

In 1958, Francis became President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, a union representing civil servants oin certain professions. In 1959, he entered municipal politics by being elected alderman on Ottawa's City Council. From 1960 to 1963, he served on the city's Board of Control and as Deputy Mayor.

He entered federal politics as a Liberal candidate in the 1962 election but was defeated in the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton. His electoral record was mixed throughout his career and he would only win election on alternate attempts. Accordingly, he served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Carleton from 1963 to 1965 and then for Ottawa West in 1968-1972, 1974-1979 and 1980-1984.

He served as Chief Government Whip from 1970 to 1971 and then as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs until he was defeated in the 1972 election. After he returned to Parliament in the 1974 election, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board from 1975 to 1976.

In 1980, he became Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. He succeeded Jeanne Sauvé as Speaker on January 15, 1984 when Sauvé became Governor General of Canada.

The Liberal government was defeated in the 1984 election, and Francis lost his seat. His term as Speaker ended when the new House of Commons convened in November of that year.

On the conclusion of his term as Speaker, Francis was appointed to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. In late 1984, the new Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, appointed Francis to the position of Ambassador to Portugal. Francis returned to Ottawa at the conclusion of his appointment in 1987.