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December 30, 1971
There is nothing to suggest in the Member's charge that 'there has been a prima facie breach of the rights and immunities of Members of the House of Commons". The Chair, in effect, has been asked...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege, ruling that the complaint about government administrative actions was a legal issue, not a breach of members' rights.
June 7, 1971
The proposed motion in amendment is in the form of a substantive motion which goes significantly beyond the scope of the bill. Although it does not say so explicitly, it provides in essence that...
The Speaker ruled an amendment out of order for being beyond the scope of the bill and attempting to amend a separate, unrelated Act.
March 26, 1971
The duration of a committee sitting is to be determined by a majority of the members then present. While the Speaker is responsible for the officers and clerks of the House, their hours of...
The Speaker denied a member's complaint about long committee sittings, ruling that committees control their own schedules and the proper remedy is to amend the Standing Orders.
February 3, 1971
While a supposed contempt of Parliament may be an element of a breach of privilege, it is not by itself a question of privilege. The complaint raised by the Member may be classified as (i) wilful...
The Speaker rules that a complaint of being misled or contempt is not a prima facie question of privilege and must be pursued through other procedural avenues.
January 12, 1971
Committee proceedings are the responsibility of the members of the committee and it is irregular to refer to such proceedings or to the evidence taken in a committee until a report is before the...
The Speaker affirmed that committees are autonomous in their proceedings, including witness selection, and that such internal matters must be resolved by the committee itself, not the House.
April 13, 1970
Parliamentary privilege extends to Members of Parliament, not to officers of Parliament or officials of the House of Commons. In addition, "if it is the conduct of a Minister or Ministers of the...
The Speaker ruled that parliamentary privilege does not cover officers of Parliament and that criticism of a Minister requires a substantive motion.
March 3, 1969
"... it is the duty of the Chair to decide which [opposition] motion will have precedence at this sitting. The two opposition motions set down for consideration... are almost identical......
The Speaker rules that when two nearly identical opposition motions are submitted, only one will be selected for debate to maintain consistency with House practice.
March 11, 1966
Despite the fact that the Chair has declared there is a prima facie case of privilege, none of the three motions is in order. "... the motions assume as a conclusion that an actual breach of...
The Speaker ruled that motions following a prima facie privilege finding must refer the matter to a committee and cannot be substantive motions that presume guilt.