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March 25, 1981
There is no doubt that the eight one-dollar items which cancel debts are pure legislative items and seek in each case to amend section 18(1) of the Financial Administration Act. Whether or not...
The Speaker ruled that using one-dollar supply items to amend legislation, such as the Financial Administration Act, is procedurally out of order.
March 5, 1981
"Matters of this nature, having been referred either to the courts or to an administrative body, are not proper subjects for debate in this House under the terms of Standing Order 26". Moreover,...
The Speaker denied a request for an emergency debate, citing the matter being before an administrative body and the availability of other debate opportunities.
February 2, 1981
According to one authority, references to debates in the other House are out of order for the simple reason that the debates of one of the two Houses remain hypothetically unknown to the other....
The Speaker affirms the rule that members cannot refer to debates in the Senate, as each legislative body manages its own proceedings independently.
December 15, 1980
The Standing Orders clearly stipulate that no bill may be introduced in either blank or an imperfect shape. Since the bill in question had not been drafted, it was therefore not ready for...
A bill cannot be introduced until it is fully drafted, as the Standing Orders prohibit the introduction of bills in an "imperfect shape".
December 9, 1980
While the term "McCarthyism" is opprobrious, it has become part of the political vocabulary and therefore its use is subject to interpretation and debate. The Chair need not pronounce on its use....
The Speaker ruled that the term 'McCarthyism' is not inherently unparliamentary as it has become part of the political vocabulary and does not automatically create disorder.
December 1, 1980
Under Standing Order 15(2), any Member who is not a Minister of the Crown may move such a motion. That is the only limitation placed on Standing Order 43, and there are many precedents indicating...
The Speaker confirms that Parliamentary Secretaries are allowed to move motions under Standing Order 43 because they are not Ministers of the Crown.
November 6, 1980
Although it is legitimate for Members in this House to insist that Ministers answer their questions, Ministers are not bound to do so. "Minister may decline to answer a question without stating...
This ruling confirms the established principle that Ministers cannot be compelled to answer questions in the House.
October 23, 1980
The amendment seeks to change the powers of the committee in a way which is not contemplated by the Standing Orders or practices of the House. Besides, the presentation of minority reports is not...
The Speaker ruled an amendment inadmissible as it was beyond the scope of the motion and improperly sought to alter Standing Orders and committee practices.
October 14, 1980
Because the House has already voted on this piece of legislation, the Member may not propose a motion reaffirming approval of the legislation but disagreeing with one of its provisions.
A motion is ruled out of order because it seeks to revisit a question already decided by the House.
July 21, 1980
The proposed amendment raises a question completely foreign to the one contained in the main motion. Since it involves an amendment which represents a new proposition of a substantive nature,...
The Speaker ruled an amendment out of order because it introduced a new substantive topic beyond the scope of the main motion, which requires notice.