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June 12, 2001
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the point of order raised by the hon. Leader of the Government in the House on May 30, 2001, concerning the procedural acceptability of Bill S-15, An Act...
The Speaker ruled that Bill S-15, originating in the Senate, imposed a tax rather than a levy, violating the House of Commons' constitutional primacy on financial matters, and was therefore withdrawn.
March 16, 1998
The Speaker: I wish to address the incident that occurred before the House adjourned Thursday, February 26, 1998. I also wish to speak of the subsequent related events, which appear to have...
The Speaker rules that displaying flags in the Chamber is a form of disorder as it uses props, and reaffirms the Chair's duty to maintain decorum to protect every member's right to speak.
November 7, 1996
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on a point of order raised by the honourable member for Fraser Valley East on Monday, October 28, 1996, concerning the status of the honourable member for Wild...
The Speaker ruled that substitute committee members have the same rights as permanent members and that internal committee rules cannot diminish this status.
December 14, 1995
The Speaker: Before we proceed to the consideration of the speech of His Excellency the Governor General of Canada, I wish to address the matter of the designation of the official opposition....
The Speaker ruled that in a mid-parliamentary tie for the second-most seats, the incumbent party retains the status of official opposition.
April 9, 1991
The Speaker: On Tuesday, March 26, 1991, when Government Motion No. 30 to amend the Standing Orders was first before the House, the honourable Member for Kamloops rose on a point of order to ask...
The Speaker denied a Point of Order challenging a proposed Standing Order that allowed ministerial routine motions to proceed despite denied unanimous consent unless 25 members objected, asserting that the House must retain the privilege to debate and establish its own rules.
June 14, 1989
The Speaker: The Chair is now prepared to rule on the point raised on May 29 and May 30, 1989 concerning the uses of Standing Order 39(6) and questions on the Order Paper. Before summarizing the...
The Speaker denied the government's request to use an archaic rule to convert lengthy written questions into notices of motion, affirming private members' rights to seek information.
April 15, 1987
The Speaker: On December 4, 1986, the honourable Member for Ottawa—Vanier raised a point of order concerning the right of Members to ask for a recorded division, notwithstanding Standing Order...
The Speaker ruled that motions become inoperable and lapse at fixed interruption times, superseding the right to a recorded division on them.
April 14, 1987
The Speaker: I indicated to the House yesterday that I would be prepared to rule at eleven o'clock this morning on the matter which was raised yesterday by the honourable Parliamentary Secretary...
The Speaker allows a government superseding motion to break a procedural deadlock during Routine Proceedings, exercising discretion to override a recent precedent due to excessive obstructionist tactics.
October 27, 1983
According to one authority, it is usual to give priority to members of the Government who wish to speak. Moreover, the parliamentary spirit allows that courtesies are afforded to certain Members...
The Speaker affirms their absolute discretion to select which Member speaks, balancing customary priority for Ministers with the equal rights of all Members.
April 10, 1981
"It has been ruled consistently that the Chair does not decide questions of law." Equally, the Chair is not responsible for deciding whether or not a departmental guideline has been breached, nor,...
The Speaker ruled that a Minister opening an office in another Member's riding is not a breach of privilege as the Chair does not rule on the use of funds and all MPs represent the whole country.