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October 23, 1975
Considering the purpose of the bill, it is clear that this is not the proper subject matter of a public law nor an alteration of the general law. It is an alteration or exception for one person of...
The Speaker ruled a bill improper as a public bill because its subject matter, creating a legal exception for one person, is appropriate only for a private bill.
July 25, 1975
The motions asking for a general investigation under the terms of a specialized motion of privilege Jack sufficient merit to be given precedence over other motions; there is nothing to prevent...
The Speaker found a prima facie case of privilege in a specific motion concerning false accusations against a Member, while denying precedence to a more general motion.
June 18, 1975
Nothing that anyone says about the conduct or performance, the speech or contribution of any Member could in general terms be taken as interference with his right to speak or to operate as a...
The Speaker ruled that external criticism and commentary on a Member's performance do not constitute a breach of privilege or interference with their parliamentary duties.
June 4, 1975
The strict definition of parliamentary privilege should not be expanded to include controversies as to facts, opinions or conclusions. These are matters for debate; they are not questions of...
This ruling establishes that disagreements over facts are matters for debate, not privilege, and that a specific charge is required to raise a question of privilege against a Member.
May 26, 1975
There is a well-established practice that the Chair "ought not to sit as a court of appeal in respect to the proceedings in a standing committee". Regarding the issue raised by Mr. Kaplan, "the...
The Speaker's ruling affirms the principle that the Chair does not act as a court of appeal for the proceedings of standing committees.
April 8, 1975
Content of Bills / Infringing on Financial Initiative of the Crown April 8, 1975 Journals pp. 420-1 Debates p. 4615 Background Prior to allowing debate on the second reading motion of Bill C-234,...
The Speaker ruled a private Member's bill out of order for infringing on the financial initiative of the Crown by proposing an expenditure without a royal recommendation.
February 27, 1975
There is nothing either in the precedents or the Standing Orders which bears directly on the point of a Member of this House voluntarily appearing before a Senate committee. The Chair can find no...
The Speaker ruled that while Members can appear before Senate committees, they are strictly warned not to reflect on or criticize decisions made by the House of Commons.
February 20, 1975
Since there is a clear line of ministerial responsibility, grievances of this type should be laid directly before the Minister. If they prove valid, they concern all Members and the public has the...
The Speaker advises that grievances concerning ministerial responsibility should be directed to the relevant Minister.
December 19, 1974
"[T]he allegations relate to the relationship between the Members of this House and the members of the press gallery here... [and since] to a certain extent the press gallery is an extension of...
The Speaker finds a prima facie case of privilege concerning allegations involving MPs and the press gallery, viewing the gallery as an extension of the House's function.
December 16, 1974
The purpose of first reading is to ensure the undoubted right of any Member to put before the House in the form of a bill his views and opinions and to allow the House an opportunity to study the...
The Speaker permitted a bill's introduction, ruling that a non-material error in its Royal Recommendation was not sufficient grounds to halt the first reading.