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February 6, 2003
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the point of order raised on January 27 by the hon. Government House Leader concerning written questions and the difficulties experienced by the...
The Speaker ruled that the Chair cannot judge the merits of complex written questions, only their form, and the government must either answer them or state why it cannot.
February 1, 2002
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the question of privilege raised by the hon. Member for Portage–Lisgar concerning statements made in the House by the Minister of National Defence. I...
The Speaker found a prima facie question of privilege after a Minister provided contradictory statements to the House, referring the matter to committee for study.
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tax rather than a levy, violating the House of Commons' constitutional primacy on financial matters, and was therefore withdrawn.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 1, 2001
The Deputy Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised by the Opposition House Leader, the hon. Member for Fraser Valley, on February 13, 2001. Subsequent to the adoption...
The Speaker ruled that the Chair has no discretion to block a procedurally correct government motion for time allocation, as the Speaker must enforce the rules as written by the House.
December 5, 1997
The Speaker: Colleagues, I am now ready to render a decision on the question of privilege raised by the honourable member for Sarnia—Lambton on December 4 concerning the draw for Private Members'...
The Speaker rules that a new draw for Private Members' Business does not disadvantage a member because the selection of votable items is based on merit, not the number of candidates.
April 27, 1994
The Deputy Speaker: Dear colleagues, the Chair is now ready to deal with the point of order raised by the honourable member for Chicoutimi, on Monday, April 18, 1994, concerning the manner in...
The Speaker ruled that members must not debate or comment on the merits of petitions when presenting them during Routine Proceedings.
March 20, 1990
Mr. Speaker: Committees sitting at the same time as bells are sounded to call Members into the House for a recorded division continues to be a problem in the eyes of some honourable Members. On...
The Speaker ruled that committees are permitted by the Standing Orders to sit during division bells and that he has no power to intervene, despite acknowledging the grievance.
October 10, 1989
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege which was raised on September 25 by the right honourable Leader of the Opposition concerning the government advertisements which...
The Speaker ruled that a government advertisement for the GST was not a prima facie contempt of Parliament but strongly warned against repeating such actions.
April 20, 1989
Mr. Speaker: I should say to honourable Members and to the public that I am quite sure there is great concern about this issue. As is appropriate, some time ago I received notice of the...
The Speaker denies an application for an emergency debate, clarifying that the rules focus on the availability of other opportunities for debate, not just the topic's importance.
December 7, 1987
Mr. Speaker: I do not think a supplementary would be appropriate at this time, but I want to say something not only to honourable Members but also to the public. The questions put by the...
The Speaker explains that questions about a civil case were allowed during Question Period because the sub judice convention does not apply before a trial starts and the questions were carefully phrased.