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September 23, 1996
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised by the honourable member for Crowfoot on September 16, 1996, concerning the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Justice...
The Speaker ruled that a committee's decision not to report a bill is not a breach of privilege because the House retains the ultimate authority to compel the committee to report.
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.
April 9, 1991
The Speaker: On Tuesday, March 26, 1991, when Government Motion No. 30 to amend the Standing Orders was first before the House, the honourable Member for Kamloops rose on a point of order to ask...
The Speaker denied a Point of Order challenging a proposed Standing Order that allowed ministerial routine motions to proceed despite denied unanimous consent unless 25 members objected, asserting that the House must retain the privilege to debate and establish its own rules.
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 6, 1990
Mr. Speaker: On Tuesday, January 23, 1990, the honourable Member for Ottawa—Vanier rose on a point of order to express concerns about the operation of certain aspects of Standing Order 52, which...
The Speaker ruled that applications for emergency debates under S.O. 52 must be resubmitted daily and are not automatically held over if pre-empted.
February 2, 1990
The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Champagne): Last Wednesday, January 31, the honourable Member for Okanagan—Similkameen—Merritt concluded his remarks in debate on second reading of Bill C-62, by moving...
A ruling confirming that a dilatory motion after a speech does not cancel the subsequent Questions and Comments period, contingent on the speaker's presence.
September 26, 1988
The Speaker: I know the honourable Member would want the Chair to make the rulings on procedure. It may well be that the question is out of order once a criminal prosecution has begun. The...
The Speaker ruled that a Minister has an absolute prerogative not to answer a question and the Chair cannot compel a response.
August 15, 1988
The Speaker: Before trespassing into the difficult ground of this ruling of amendments, I am informed, and I hope that this is so, that copies of my ruling, in both official languages, have been...
The Speaker ruled on the admissibility of 102 amendments to the free trade implementation bill, disallowing those that altered the treaty, exceeded the bill's scope, or had financial implications.
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.
June 8, 1987
Mr. Speaker: In the interests of not holding up debate, the Chair has decided that, rather than reserve in this matter, the Chair will rule immediately. In the interests of honourable Members and...
The Speaker denied a point of order, ruling that the sub judice convention does not prevent debate on a civil matter not yet at trial during an Opposition Supply day.