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April 26, 1983
Various precedents indicate that charges of this kind cannot be made by way of a question of privilege, but only on a substantive motion making clear and specific accusations. While there may have...
Speaker rules that serious accusations must be made via a substantive motion, not a question of privilege, and finds no procedural error in the tabling of budget documents.
April 20, 1983
Since the matter undoubtedly concerns the administrative responsibilities of the Government, it could be discussed in the course of the debate on the Budget, which is to commence today. Moreover,...
The Speaker denied a request for an emergency debate on a minister's alleged breach of oath, deeming it not urgent and addressable via other means.
April 19, 1983
According to the practice whereby the Minister of Finance presents his budget in the House before declaring it in any other public forum, budget secrecy is a political convention which does not...
This ruling establishes that budget secrecy is a political convention, not a matter of privilege, and any accusation of its breach requires a substantive motion.
January 26, 1982
Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Relevance January 26, 1982 Debates p. 14342 Background During consideration of a non-confidence motion moved by Mr. Clark (Leader of the Opposition)...
The Speaker ruled a subamendment out of order for being beyond the scope of the main amendment.
April 28, 1980
Even if the Member denounces the lack of debate on what he considers to be a budget presentation, the fact is that the Minister never stated that he was making a budget presentation. However, it...
The Speaker ruled that a Minister is permitted to table Ways and Means motions and discuss financial matters during the Address Debate.
December 10, 1979
The rule requires that the subject matter proposed for debate relate to a genuine emergency. In this case, the issue of emergency is a matter of argument between the government and the opposition....
The Speaker denied an emergency debate request because the issue was a matter of political argument and another debate opportunity was imminent.
November 13, 1978
The matter must be more than simply urgency of consideration: there must be an element of genuine emergency. "[A] transaction which... appears to be within the normal orbit of the purpose for...
The Speaker denied a request for an emergency debate, ruling the issue was not a genuine emergency and other opportunities for debate were available.
April 17, 1978
The Minister of Finance denied the possibility of a leak of budget information respecting the sales tax and, of course, the House must accept his word. The Chair has serious doubts as to whether...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege concerning an alleged budget leak, ruling that the matter did not meet the criteria for privilege and the motion was too general.
June 26, 1975
In the past there has been a restriction against anticipating Orders of the Day in the Question Period. During the budget debate and the debate on the Address, however, there has been a relaxation...
The Speaker clarifies that the rule against anticipating Orders of the Day is relaxed during major debates, permitting related questions during Question Period at the Chair's discretion.
February 5, 1973
There are numerous examples of interdependent bills being considered concurrently by the House. Interrelated provisions can be found almost annually in the budgetary taxation bills. Only when...
The Speaker's ruling clarifies that amending a statute through an item in the Estimates is procedurally improper and has been historically resisted by Parliament.