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December 15, 1988
The Speaker: Honourable Members will recall that yesterday afternoon I entertained extensive argument with respect to the motion standing under Government Order No. 1 for today. There were two...
The Speaker rules that a government motion to suspend Standing Orders is procedurally in order, as the House has the authority to alter its own rules by a majority vote.
June 13, 1988
The Speaker: On June 7, 1988, the honourable Member for Kamloops—Shuswap rose on a point of order relating to Government Business No. 26 on the Order Paper. The item of business deals with the...
The Speaker rules that the government may use a simple majority vote on a motion under Government Orders to suspend Standing Orders, including the parliamentary calendar for the summer recess.
September 24, 1987
Mr. Speaker: I want to draw to the attention of honourable Members that the Chair is now ready to rule on a point of order raised on August 12, 1987, by the honourable Member for Hamilton East...
The Speaker ruled that the Chair cannot judge the 'comprehensiveness' of government responses to committee reports, directing standing committees to use their own powers to address dissatisfaction.
May 14, 1987
Mr. Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the question of privilege raised by the honourable Member for Selkirk—Interlake on April 28 and May 5, as well as the question of privilege raised by the...
The Speaker finds a prima facie question of privilege against a Member for disclosing a recorded vote from an in camera committee meeting, affirming that all such proceedings are confidential.
December 1, 1986
Mr. Speaker: The Chair wishes to report to the House on a matter of some importance concerning petitions introducing laws, and I will read the ruling. An entry in the Votes and Proceedings of...
The Speaker rules that the 25-signature requirement for petitions does not apply to petitions for Private Bills due to a procedural oversight in the Standing Orders.
December 20, 1983
A motion to adjourn the House "is not in order since the House is operating under an order which stipulates that all votes pertaining to certain questions should be put at six o'clock".......
A Speaker's ruling clarifies that a motion to adjourn is out of order when a special order for a scheduled vote is in effect, as only a Minister can move adjournment in that situation.
October 26, 1983
According to the Standing Orders, not more than two hours after the commencement of proceedings on a motion to allocate time, the Speaker shall put every question necessary to dispose of the said...
The Speaker rules that the two-hour limit for a time allocation motion includes all proceedings, such as votes on amendments, not just the debate itself.
February 22, 1971
Reviewing the practice of the House since 1952, the Chair has had "little difficulty in establishing that Committees of the Whole and standing committees have in fact sat concurrently throughout...
The Speaker confirms the long-standing practice, supported by the Standing Orders, that standing committees and Committees of the Whole are permitted to sit concurrently.
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.
March 1, 1966
The Chamber is the sole judge of the lawfulness of its own proceedings, and "this holds even where the procedure of a House or the right of its Members or Officers to take part in its proceedings...
This ruling establishes that the House, not the Speaker, is the sole judge of its own proceedings and a member's right to vote.