Liberal MP Stephen McNaughton took the constitutional oath as Speaker of the House of Commons in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government on Monday, assuming the position temporarily while Karina Gould begins her maternity leave.

Speaking to reporters outside Rideau Hall where the special oath-taking ceremony was held, McNaughton said the Liberals in Ottawa under his leadership will work with opposition parties to push key bills through by trying to find "common ground," viewing it as a "subsequent session of Parliament."

Last summer, Trudeau announced when he replaced Gould in this position that McNaughton - who was the government whip - would lead the Liberals in the House of Commons.

McNaughton will now be the person responsible for the government when it comes to handling legislation, organizing the government's agenda in the House of Commons, and helping coordinate question periods.

After the sometimes tough 2023 session, 57-year-old MP Gatineau said he would have more to say about bills and issues that the Liberals will prioritize in 2024, as the next Parliament session approaches on January 29.

McNaughton said: "But what we will not tolerate is opposition without an alternative; opposition without an alternative is just obstruction, and obstruction leads to a 30-hour voting marathon," referring to Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's proposal to filibuster carbon tax in the final days of the December session.

He added: "I think Canadians are right to reject this kind of tactic," and "We are very determined, and we have many important things to accomplish for Canadians, and we just ask our friends on the other side of the aisle to come to this with the same sense of importance."

McNaughton said he would contact his counterparts among the opposition leaders in the House on Monday to inform them that he has an "open door policy" when it comes to discussing House of Commons business.

Gould, who is expecting her second child this month, announced on social media on Monday that she has officially started maternity leave from her duties as Speaker of the House of Commons, with plans to resume her role on July 31.

The 36-year-old Burlington, Ontario MP said: "I will continue working as a remote MP, voting and participating in party meetings and cabinet, on a reduced schedule," the MP said, expressing pride that the federal government under Trudeau supports her taking this time away from Ottawa.

McNaughton said: "She is an incredible colleague, and I join everyone in wishing her the best with her new baby."

Speaking to CTVNews.ca shortly after assuming leadership in the House of Commons, Gould said that during her first parental leave in 2018 - when she made history as the first federal minister to give birth while in office - she put "enormous pressure" on herself to return to the House of Commons as soon as possible.

This time, she will do things differently, partly thanks to the now permanent mixed seating structure and the introduction of the 2019 parental leave program for MPs, allowing them to be absent from the chamber for up to a year after having a new baby or welcoming one home without penalty.

Gould stated that her goal in this role is to make daily question periods an hour of work in the afternoon in Ottawa that Canadians can be proud of, but the tone and content of the debate have increasingly been described as toxic, both by those present in the chamber and by those watching.

When asked on Monday about steps he intends to take to raise the level of discussion, McNaughton said all parties need to follow the rules and "exercise restraint" and "be prepared to make compromises."

Robbie Sahota, who was serving as his deputy, will replace McNaughton as whip. McNaughton said the duo will work "side by side" and that Sahota has the full support of "all our colleagues in the caucus."