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May 5, 1987
The Speaker: I remind the House that a few days ago a question of privilege was raised in the House by the honourable Minister of State for Fitness and Amateur Sport respecting questions which...
A Speaker's ruling denies a Minister's question of privilege, finding that questions about his integrity, while troubling, did not impede his duties enough to warrant precedence.
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.
March 17, 1987
Mr. Speaker: On March 9, the honourable Member for Nickel Belt raised a question of privilege arising out of certain remarks made by the Honourable the President of the Treasury Board in giving an...
A ruling clarifying that a Minister's critical press comments about a committee's actions did not constitute a prima facie breach of privilege because they did not obstruct the committee's work.
February 18, 1987
Mr. Speaker: On February 11, 1987, the honourable Member for La Prairie raised a question of privilege with respect to the dismissal of an official at the Department of Employment and Immigration....
The Speaker ruled that the dismissal of a public servant for speaking with MPs did not constitute a breach of privilege as parliamentary privilege does not extend to public servants.
January 26, 1987
The Speaker: Before I call Orders of the Day, I have a ruling to make arising out of the debate which occurred on Friday, January 23, 1987. The honourable Member for Windsor West rose on a point...
The Speaker ruled that a blank space and incorrect date in a bill were correctable clerical errors, not fatal flaws, and ordered the Clerk to alter the bill.
December 4, 1986
Mr. Speaker: This morning the Chair heard a point of order regarding the status of the allotted days for the current supply period, and the effect of yesterday's proceedings on the supply motion...
The Speaker ruled that an allotted supply day is not expended if the House adjourns before the order for supply business is formally called.
May 7, 1986
The Standing Orders specify only that a Minister of the Crown, or a Parliamentary Secretary speaking on behalf of a Minister, may speak in reply to questions during the Adjournment Proceedings....
The Speaker ruled that questions cannot be directed to committee chairs during Adjournment Proceedings as the Standing Orders only permit questions to Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries.
March 18, 1986
Simultaneous translation is provided in the House so that Members can follow the proceedings as they take place, no matter in which language they occur. The issue of translation aside, however,...
This ruling clarifies that challenges to unparliamentary language must be made immediately, as the key test is the disorder caused at the time of speaking, not later.
April 22, 1985
If the traditional criteria are rigidly applied, premature disclosure of committee reports and proceedings undoubtedly encroaches upon parliamentary privilege. The Speaker stated, however, that...
The Speaker ruled that while the premature disclosure of a committee report is a breach of privilege, no action would be taken due to the Canadian tradition of upholding freedom of the press.
December 14, 1984
A committee may only consider those matters which have been referred to it by the House, and must report to the House in order to seek a broadening of its order of reference. It is certain that...
A ruling confirming that parliamentary committees are strictly bound by their orders of reference from the House and cannot self-task or direct other committees.