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May 4, 1970
"... the only way in which the Standing Order can be operated so as to work and make sense is to have agreement between... representatives of the parties in the House." In this instance, there has...
The Speaker permitted a vaguely worded supply day motion to proceed as a non-confidence vote but warned that future motions must more clearly express non-confidence.
July 3, 1969
Arguments raised against the Government's motion are founded largely on the rule of anticipation. Unfortunately, Canadian precedents concerning this rule are not sufficiently clear and British...
The Speaker ruled that the rule of anticipation applies to the debate of a matter, not its placement on the Order Paper, thus allowing a government motion to proceed.
June 2, 1969
This application is in the form of a series of grievances which are of a continuing nature and which cannot be understood to be a sudden emergency. "... according to the rules and precedents, even...
The Speaker denied an emergency debate request, citing the issue's ongoing nature and the availability of other debate opportunities like the Budget and supply days.
January 27, 1969
The Standing Orders require a 24-hour written notice be given; therefore, it should be open to Members to file their notices for motions, bills or papers and written questions, just as it should...
The Speaker rules that a suspension of a sitting is not an adjournment, and therefore the 24-hour notice period for filing business continues to run.
October 25, 1968
"... as a matter of special importance and immediate urgency the whole of the Nigeria and Biafra situation has been referred by this House to a special committee." Normally, the Chair would not...
The Speaker denied a request for an emergency debate on the Nigeria/Biafra situation because the matter was already being studied by a special committee.
November 28, 1967
"If there really was a question of privilege it should be followed by a motion", but none was moved. In addition, "a question of privilege must be raised at the first opportunity. That does not...
A question of privilege was denied for not being raised at the first opportunity and for lacking a required motion.
November 2, 1967
According to the Standing Order governing supply, consideration of this matter must be terminated when the number of allotted days has expired. Since this is the last such day, the sitting must...
The Speaker states that on the final allotted supply day, the sitting must continue until business is finished unless a minister moves to adjourn.
September 27, 1967
The House would not be well served if its business were put off in order to allow this sort of debate. A motion was moved yesterday under Standing Order 26 and it was agreed to discuss that motion...
The Speaker denies a request for an immediate debate, ruling that the topic is too broad and should be discussed during upcoming supply or budget proceedings.
March 10, 1966
The motion to adjourn is a superseding motion and it can only be moved when there is something before the House. At the moment, there is nothing before the House. Moreover, a Member cannot rise...
A Speaker's ruling clarifies that a conditional motion to adjourn is a substantive motion requiring notice and cannot be moved as a superseding motion when no business is before the House.
Date Unknown
The Speaker: I am quite familiar with the argument the hon. Member is making. I recall making a similar one myself at one time or another. I am very sympathetic to the plight he describes, but...
The Speaker ruled that the government's failure to answer written questions in a timely manner is not a valid question of privilege because the Chair lacks the power to compel an answer.