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June 23, 1977
The premature publication of this document interferes with the work of the Members in their committee because it "prejudices the secure identity of witnesses and people who co-operated with the...
The Speaker rules that the systemic issue of premature publication of committee documents should be studied by a special committee rather than being treated as an absolute question of privilege in every instance.
May 13, 1977
Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Amendment Beyond Scope of Motion May 13, 1977 Journals pp. 794-6 Debates pp. 5650-1 Background During debate on a Supply Day motion proposed by Mr....
The Speaker ruled an amendment out of order because it was not relevant to and went beyond the scope of the original motion.
May 8, 1974
As has been stated on many occasions in the past, "it might be very unwise for the House to decide that proceedings in one committee be investigated by another committee". It is not procedurally...
The Speaker rules that committee proceedings can only be brought to the House via a formal report and takes the question of a committee's power to compel documents under advisement.
April 24, 1974
Four possibilities are available according to the Standing Order on the notice of motions for the production of papers. When called, the motion can be adopted by the House, dropped, voted upon or,...
The Speaker outlines the procedural options available for a motion for the production of papers when a Minister refuses to table the requested documents.
April 16, 1974
The relevant Standing Order cannot be interpreted "as imposing an obligation on a Minister to table [such a] document".
The Speaker ruled that Standing Orders do not compel a Minister to table a document.
September 17, 1973
The purpose of the Standing Order under which this document has been tabled is to allow a government Member to table information relating to the administrative responsibilities of the Government...
The Speaker ruled that Ministers, not the Chair, are responsible for ensuring that documents they table comply with the Standing Orders.
June 28, 1973
Under the Standing Orders, a Minister's statement on any government action or policy should be made under "Motions" and not tabled. In this case, however, the document is of an informative nature,...
The Speaker ruled that a Minister's informative document could be tabled rather than delivered as a formal statement, which is reserved for policy announcements.
May 28, 1973
When a Minister quotes from an official communication, be it personal or not, it becomes an official document and must be tabled.
The Speaker affirms the rule that any official communication quoted by a Minister must be tabled as an official document.
February 22, 1972
The rule governing tabling is clear. If a document is quoted in debate it has to be tabled. If a letter, even though it might have been written originally as a private document, becomes part of...
The Speaker rules that Ministers must table official documents, including formerly private letters that have become part of a departmental record, if they are quoted during debate.
November 16, 1971
The rule respecting tabling of documents has "to be interpreted rather strictly.... If a document has been actually cited or quoted in debate by a Minister of the Crown, it has to be tabled. If...
The Speaker clarifies that ministers must table documents they directly quote or cite in debate, but not those they merely reference.