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May 19, 1970
The Member is seeking an inquiry by the committee into an alleged threat to the freedom of the press. If such a far-reaching question were to be investigated by the House, it should be done by way...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege regarding a newspaper article, clarifying that it did not meet the high threshold for a breach and that the matter should be raised via a substantive motion.
April 14, 1970
The Chair doubts that the privileges of any individual Member are affected by the circumstances outlined by the Member's complaint. The complaint also suggests that this contravenes the Senate and...
The Chair denied a question of privilege, ruling the matter was a point of law that should be raised via a substantive motion.
April 13, 1970
Parliamentary privilege extends to Members of Parliament, not to officers of Parliament or officials of the House of Commons. In addition, "if it is the conduct of a Minister or Ministers of the...
The Speaker ruled that parliamentary privilege does not cover officers of Parliament and that criticism of a Minister requires a substantive motion.
February 11, 1970
As it now stands, any Minister or Parliamentary Secretary to any Minister may answer questions posed during the adjournment proceedings to any Minister. In addition, a Minister may decline to...
The Speaker denied a request for discussion on an unsatisfactory answer during Adjournment Proceedings, citing that Ministers are permitted to decline to answer.
January 21, 1970
Despite the reservations as to whether or not this case involves a question of privilege, the Member's remarks were not followed by a motion, and thus no further action can be taken. The Standing...
The Speaker ruled that no action could be taken on a member's concern because it was not followed by a motion, clarifying the rules for tabling documents.
December 10, 1969
The only precedent discovered that is relevant to this case is useful in some respects, but is ultimately unsatisfactory because on that occasion no motion was raised and, consequently, the...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege against the Minister of Finance, ruling the matter was an administrative grievance, not an obstruction of a Member's duties.
December 4, 1969
It has been generally understood for many years that the power to call a meeting for the purpose of electing a chairman and a vice-chairman rest customarily with the Government Whip, not...
The Speaker ruled that the custom of the Government Whip calling a committee's organizational meeting does not constitute a prima facie question of privilege.
June 9, 1969
In matters of privilege involving newspaper comments two conflicting interests must be taken into account: the privilege of Members to exercise their duties and the freedom of the press to report...
A question of privilege concerning a newspaper article was denied due to not being raised at the earliest opportunity and an improperly worded motion.
June 3, 1969
It has been long-established that budgetary information is made available to the press under the terms of the strictest secrecy some hours before the same information is made available to the...
A Speaker's ruling confirms that providing embargoed budget information to the press before the House is an established practice and not a matter of privilege.
March 31, 1969
''Allegations of misjudgment, or mismanagement, or maladministration on the part of a Minister in the performance of his ministerial duties [do] not come within the purview of parliamentary...
A ruling clarifying that allegations of ministerial misconduct are not matters of privilege but should be addressed through substantive or confidence motions.