The dean is responsible for presiding over the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons at the beginning of each Parliament.

[2] In 1994, following the 1993 Canadian federal election, Liberal member Len Hopkins filled this role as his caucus mate Herb Gray, then the longest-serving member, was in Cabinet under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.

[5] Gray was also the longest-serving dean of the House up until that point, holding the role for 14 years from 1988 until 2002.

[6] In 2023, Plamondon eclipsed Gray as the longest-serving dean of the House, with 15 years in the role.

[7] The chart below refers to longest-serving members, some of whom served in frontbench roles and, as such, did not preside over the election of the Speaker.