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November 16, 1999
The Speaker: On Monday, November 1, 1999, the honourable member for Quebec East raised a question of privilege concerning the breach of his privileges in relation to a civil suit launched against...
Speaker rules that the parliamentary privilege of free speech does not extend to mailings sent to constituents as they are not considered 'proceedings in Parliament'.
October 14, 1999
The Speaker: Before we proceed to orders of the day, I will now deal with a question of privilege from the honourable member for South Surrey—White Rock-Langley that was brought before the House...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege alleging intimidation by CSIS, ruling the evidence was insufficient to establish a prima facie case of contempt.
February 11, 1998
The Speaker: I am now prepared to make a statement on the question of privilege raised by the honourable member for Wentworth—Burlington on February 3, 1998, concerning comments made by Justice...
The Speaker deferred a ruling on a question of privilege concerning a judge's remarks, opting to await the results of a Canadian Judicial Council investigation.
October 9, 1997
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised by the honourable member for Wild Rose on September 30, 1997, concerning information allegedly denied to him by an official...
The Speaker ruled that being denied information by a public servant while preparing a question does not constitute a contempt of Parliament as it occurs outside a 'proceeding in Parliament'.
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.
February 16, 1995
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on a question of privilege by the honourable member for Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt, which he raised first on November 2, 1994, and then again on February 8,...
The Speaker ruled that a letter from a member to a minister is a public document and cannot form the basis of a prima facie question of privilege when quoted in the House.
April 26, 1990
Mr. Speaker: On April 3, 1990, the honourable Government House Leader rose to contest the acceptability of certain amendments set out in the Senate message respecting Bill C-21, An Act to amend...
The Speaker ruled that he could not unilaterally declare Senate amendments to a money bill out of order, affirming it is the House of Commons' responsibility to defend its own financial privileges.
March 8, 1990
Mr. Speaker: On Monday, March 5, 1990, the honourable Member for Kamloops rose on a point of order to suggest that the debate on the budget be suspended and that the Chair review the Government...
The Speaker rules that the sub judice convention does not apply to bills, thereby allowing debate on government legislation to proceed despite a related matter being before the courts.
May 2, 1989
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the arguments presented several days ago with respect to the Question of Privilege relating to the supply process. On April 6, after giving the Chair the...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege, ruling that the government's use of Special Warrants and omission of a supply request from the Throne Speech did not breach procedural rules.
July 18, 1988
The Speaker: I want to bring to honourable Members' attention a matter of some importance which was raised on Wednesday, May 4, 1988, by the honourable Member for Athabasca, and commented upon by...
A Speaker's ruling denies a question of privilege, clarifying that absolute parliamentary privilege for freedom of speech does not extend to a Member's statements published outside the House.