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March 6, 1973
Many citations and precedents support the rule that the House may not be asked to vote twice on the same question during the same session. However, the Standing Order that allows non-confidence...
The Speaker ruled that an arguable opposition day motion should proceed to a vote, even if it appears to repeat a previous question, deferring the final decision to the House.
February 7, 1973
Although the form of the notices is not the main issue, Members should present them in the form of notices of opposition instead of motions or amendments as such. "... until now... notices have...
The Speaker clarifies that notices of opposition to Supply can be dealt with before the final 'guillotine' and explains the procedural similarities for considering Supply on government versus opposition days.
June 22, 1972
The Standing Orders are clear that a notice to oppose any item in the Estimates is not a motion. The motion before the House is the item which the notice opposes, "and Members have the right to...
The Speaker rules that a notice to oppose an item in the Estimates is not a motion, and the resulting vote is on the original item.
May 19, 1972
Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading May 19, 1972 Journals pp. 315-7 Debates pp. 2432-4 Background On May 18, during debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-211,...
The Speaker sustained a point of order, ruling that a member's remarks were beyond the scope of the bill and must remain relevant.
February 16, 1972
The Chair has the power to order the withdrawal at this point of strangers from the Chamber; that is, all people in the galleries, including those behind the Chair. This would be done, of course,...
The Speaker rules that the tradition of admitting the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for a summons from the Senate overrides the Chair's power to clear the galleries.
September 17, 1971
"... if there is to be further or continued debate on this very important matter, it should not be done under the guise or under the umbrella of a question of privilege." The motion of Mr. Baldwin...
The Speaker ruled that a censure motion cannot be raised as a question of privilege and requires a proper substantive motion.
May 28, 1971
Given that committees sometimes study the same question for several weeks, "it would seem to be most impractical for the House to adopt the position that the membership of committees should not be...
The Speaker denied a request to return a committee report, citing the impracticality of freezing membership and the proximity of the Supply deadline.
May 26, 1971
If accepted, the amendment would clearly impose a charge on the treasury. "It is not a sufficient answer to the procedural objection to say that any money required to give effect to the amendment...
The Speaker ruled an amendment inadmissible because it imposed a new charge on the treasury, thereby infringing on the financial initiative of the Crown.
February 22, 1971
Reviewing the practice of the House since 1952, the Chair has had "little difficulty in establishing that Committees of the Whole and standing committees have in fact sat concurrently throughout...
The Speaker confirms the long-standing practice, supported by the Standing Orders, that standing committees and Committees of the Whole are permitted to sit concurrently.
October 26, 1970
If the recommendation is incomplete, it is possible for the Crown to make the necessary corrections, as has been done in the past. To avoid delay, consideration of the bill may resume, but the...
The Speaker permits debate on a bill with a defective Royal Recommendation to continue but defers the second reading vote until the Crown corrects it.