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February 22, 1972
The rule governing tabling is clear. If a document is quoted in debate it has to be tabled. If a letter, even though it might have been written originally as a private document, becomes part of...
The Speaker rules that Ministers must table official documents, including formerly private letters that have become part of a departmental record, if they are quoted during debate.
September 28, 1971
On numerous occasions, the Chair has indicated to the House the procedure to be followed in order to have the conduct of a Minister or Member considered by a committee. The Member has not met...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege concerning a member's conduct outside the House, affirming that established precedents and procedures must be followed.
September 21, 1971
The most recent precedent for the unusual and unused impeachment proceedings existing in the British Parliament dates from 1805, when a judgment in an impeachment case was rendered by the House of...
The Speaker rules that the British procedure of impeachment is not applicable in Canada due to the Senate's lack of judicial power and the procedure's obsolescence.
June 8, 1971
Rules of Debate / Repetition June 8, 1971 Debates p. 6475 Background On an allotted day, Mr. Lewis (York South) proposed a motion condemning the Government's agricultural policies and recommending...
The term 'Supply day' identifies a day of debate on a topic chosen by an opposition party as part of the government's process for seeking funds.
April 20, 1971
Questions Related to Content of Bills / Infringing on Financial Initiative of the Crown April 20, 1971 Journals p. 493 Debates pp. 5096-7 Background During private Members' hour, the Deputy...
Analysis based on the procedural concept 'infringing on the financial initiative of the Crown' as the provided text was not a complete ruling.
March 22, 1971
"Even if a Member feels very strongly about a matter... he has no right to violate the rules of the House, which command Members not to accuse another Member of the House of deliberately deceiving...
A ruling affirming that accusing another Member of deliberate deception constitutes unparliamentary language and will require a withdrawal or apology.
March 10, 1971
Previous rules allowed unlimited consideration of the Supplementary Estimates. Present rules restrict such consideration to a degree substantial enough to warrant the exclusion of items of a...
The Speaker rules that legislative changes cannot be made through the Supplementary Estimates and require a separate amending bill.
February 24, 1971
The House should not be put in a position where contrary decisions could be taken in respect of two similar bills in the same session. In this case, as no final decision had been taken on any...
Speaker rules it is procedurally acceptable to have two similar bills before the House simultaneously if no final decision has been made on their clauses.
February 3, 1971
While a supposed contempt of Parliament may be an element of a breach of privilege, it is not by itself a question of privilege. The complaint raised by the Member may be classified as (i) wilful...
The Speaker rules that a complaint of being misled or contempt is not a prima facie question of privilege and must be pursued through other procedural avenues.
November 24, 1970
''A bill such as this one, which deals with individual rights and fundamental freedoms, should be discussed as freely as possible and should be given the benefit of the liberal interpretation of...
The Speaker permits a procedurally questionable third-reading amendment to recommit a bill, citing the bill's focus on rights and the will of the House.