It’s been a bumpy couple of months for Perry Trimper, and with a new House Speaker elected, he says he is looking forward to his new role.

MHA for Humber-St. George’s Scott Reid was elected Speaker of the House on Monday. Reid and Trimper were the only two to put their names on the ballot.

Trimper says he enjoyed his time as Speaker immensely, and felt he could contribute and continue to do the job well.

He is disappointed with the outcome, but okay with it.

Trimper says the remediation efforts with his constituents and the Innu Nation has been fascinating, saying he looks back on his 32-years in Labrador and is very proud of the the relationship he’s had working with the Innu community. With the exception of a “couple of minute conversation” in September, Trimper says he’s proud of what he’s been doing with the Innu of Labrador and looks forward to working with them.

Trimper says he’s faced tough roads before, and is confident the relationship with the Innu Nation can be repaired.

He thanks his district, and colleagues in the House of Assembly. But, as they are in a political arena, Trimper feels politics did play a role in the outcome.

Trimper says as much he congratulates Scott Reid, he does feel there was a political agenda that ruled the day. He felt if people voted with their conscience and recalled his performance in the House where he treated each MHA fairly it could’ve been different. However, he says many felt they needed to make a political statement, which he respects and is okay with.

Trimper was the first to get up out of his chair and congratulate Reid after the vote was tallied.