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December 15, 1988
The Speaker: Honourable Members will recall that yesterday afternoon I entertained extensive argument with respect to the motion standing under Government Order No. 1 for today. There were two...
The Speaker rules that a government motion to suspend Standing Orders is procedurally in order, as the House has the authority to alter its own rules by a majority vote.
September 1, 1988
Mr. Speaker: The rule is that an application for an emergency debate is to be a succinct statement by the honourable Member applying. It is not to be a debate on the issue, it has to be the...
Speaker denies an application for an emergency debate concerning a senior official's comments, ruling the matter did not meet the urgency threshold.
August 22, 1988
The Speaker:...The honourable Member may be rising on a matter of considerable political interest, and there certainly may be other places to pursue it, but I am having some difficulty here...
The Speaker rules that a Member's question must pertain to the administration of government and not be designed to create disorder.
August 12, 1988
The Speaker: On Thursday, July 14, 1988 the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue claimed that her privileges as a Member had been breached in relation to a press release...
The Speaker ruled that a false press release about a Member is a matter for the courts, not a breach of parliamentary privilege, unless it clearly obstructs their duties.
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.
July 13, 1988
The Speaker: Honourable Members will know that I heard an important argument two days ago with respect to the use of motions of instruction relating to bills. I undertook to honourable Members to...
The Speaker ruled that a private member's permissive motion of instruction to a committee studying a bill is admissible under 'Motions' during Routine Proceedings.
July 11, 1988
Mr. Speaker: I want to bring to the attention of honourable Members that on Friday last there was some discussion in this Chamber as to a certain action taken by the other place, and for those...
The Speaker rules that the Senate infringed the privileges of the House of Commons by unilaterally splitting a money bill and invites the House to assert its rights.
June 8, 1988
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the arguments given some days ago with respect to Bill C-130. In my view, they were excellent arguments. I wish to advise honourable Members that the Chair...
The Speaker ruled that the omnibus free trade implementation bill (C-130) was procedurally acceptable because its many amendments were unified by the single purpose of enacting an international treaty.
May 24, 1988
The Speaker: First, I want to make it clear to honourable Members exactly what has occurred here. The Honourable Minister of State (Mr. Doug Lewis) has pointed out that there was a vote on...
The Speaker ruled against reviving an archaic practice from Bourinot that would allow debate on the formal motion to set a date for a bill's second reading, upholding the modern practice described in Beauchesne.
April 25, 1988
Mr. Speaker: On March 28 and 29, 1988, the Honourable Member for Regina West raised a point of order contending that, in response to a question asked by the Honourable Member for St. John's East...
Speaker rules that a Minister must directly quote from a document, not merely cite or refer to it, to be obligated to table it in the House.