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April 2, 2012
The Speaker: I appreciate the Member for Windsor—Tecumseh raising this. I was here in the previous Parliament when my predecessor attempted to bring some kind of cohesive parameters as to what...
The Speaker clarifies that personal attacks are held to a higher standard during Statements by Members (S.O. 31) because there is no opportunity for the targeted Member to respond.
November 17, 2011
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the point of order raised by the Member for Malpeque, on November 4, concerning the tabling of a document by the President of the Treasury Board. I would...
The Speaker rules that while tabling a public document about a private citizen is technically allowed, it is improper to use parliamentary privilege to potentially harm the reputation of individuals who cannot defend themselves.
May 27, 2009
The Speaker: The Chair has heard enough. I must point out that there is virtually nothing in the rules about the content of Question Period. For example, there is nothing requiring each question...
The Speaker ruled that the order of questions during Question Period is determined by inter-party agreement among House Leaders, not by the Chair.
February 8, 1999
The Speaker: I am ready to make a ruling on the point of order raised on December 8, 1998, by the honourable member for Delta—South Richmond concerning questions on the Order Paper. First of all I...
The Speaker ruled that the Clerk can divide complex written questions and that the Chair cannot enforce response deadlines or judge the factual content of government answers.
June 9, 1998
The Speaker: The House leader for the Conservative Party makes a very interesting point as does the opposition House leader. I point out to the House that it would be one thing to go with the...
The Speaker allowed a motion under S.O. 56.1 to proceed, despite it potentially exceeding the rule's scope, by citing recent, unopposed precedents for similar motions.
June 19, 1991
The Speaker: Perhaps I can help the honourable Member. First of all, I am not revealing a great secret when I say that of course there is a list. The honourable Member has often been on that list....
The Speaker confirmed the existence of a non-binding recognition list for Question Period and affirmed the Chair's absolute discretion to recognize independent Members for supplementary questions.
October 25, 1990
The Speaker: I want to thank the honourable Member for Shefford for his comments, and the other Members—the honourable Member for Ottawa—Vanier (Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier), the honourable Member...
The Speaker rules that the Chair cannot interpret statutes and that Standing Order 33 prevents a Member not belonging to a recognized party from replying to a Minister's Statement.
March 19, 1987
The Speaker: Perhaps the Chair could assist honourable Members. What has happened here is that pursuant to the Standing Orders, the honourable Member for Calgary West, as Chairman of the...
The Speaker ruled that Standing Orders only permit the committee chair to give a succinct explanation when tabling a report, and opposition members cannot comment without unanimous consent.
January 30, 1987
The Speaker: The Chair has listened carefully to the intervention of the honourable Member, and to other comments. Fairly recently the Chair indicated to the House that the Chair is very much...
The Speaker clarifies that while Question Period is primarily an accountability session for the opposition, diligent questions from Government Members will be recognized to ensure fairness.