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November 16, 1999
The Speaker: On Monday, November 1, 1999, the honourable member for Quebec East raised a question of privilege concerning the breach of his privileges in relation to a civil suit launched against...
Speaker rules that the parliamentary privilege of free speech does not extend to mailings sent to constituents as they are not considered 'proceedings in Parliament'.
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.
November 24, 1994
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the point of order raised by the honourable member for Roberval on November 16, 1994, concerning the format of the report of the Special Joint Committee...
The Speaker ruled that a committee report with dissenting opinions in a separate volume would be accepted as tabled but must be reprinted in a single volume to comply with the Standing Orders.
February 22, 1993
The Acting Speaker (Mr. DeBlois): I listened very carefully to what the honourable Member for Annapolis Valley—Hants had to say, and I realize he has a particular interest in this Bill which has...
The Speaker denied an independent Member immediate recognition for debate, upholding the parliamentary tradition of prioritizing the rotation of recognized parties based on their representation.
June 19, 1991
The Speaker: Perhaps I can help the honourable Member. First of all, I am not revealing a great secret when I say that of course there is a list. The honourable Member has often been on that list....
The Speaker confirmed the existence of a non-binding recognition list for Question Period and affirmed the Chair's absolute discretion to recognize independent Members for supplementary questions.
December 13, 1990
The Speaker: On Tuesday, November 27, 1990, the honourable Member for Shefford raised a question of privilege related to a request he had submitted to the Board of lnternal Economy to fund...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege, affirming the Board of Internal Economy's decision to refuse extra funding for the Bloc Québécois, stating that existing resources for all MPs are sufficient.
December 13, 1990
The Speaker: The honourable Member for Annapolis Valley—Hants rose on November 21, 1990, to declare that he was and wanted to be known as and registered in our records as an Independent...
The Speaker ruled that a Member can be designated by a custom political affiliation, such as 'Independent Conservative,' in official records, as there is no rule limiting designations to parties recognized under the Canada Elections Act.
October 25, 1990
The Speaker: I want to thank the honourable Member for Shefford for his comments, and the other Members—the honourable Member for Ottawa—Vanier (Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier), the honourable Member...
The Speaker rules that the Chair cannot interpret statutes and that Standing Order 33 prevents a Member not belonging to a recognized party from replying to a Minister's Statement.
January 30, 1987
The Speaker: The Chair has listened carefully to the intervention of the honourable Member, and to other comments. Fairly recently the Chair indicated to the House that the Chair is very much...
The Speaker clarifies that while Question Period is primarily an accountability session for the opposition, diligent questions from Government Members will be recognized to ensure fairness.
October 7, 1986
Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Danis): Without wanting to get into a debate on this matter, and I have discussed that point with the honourable Member for Winnipeg—Birds Hill, it is my view that during...
The Speaker clarifies that while opposition members get priority during the question and comment period, government members are not excluded from being recognized.