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March 2, 1981
The advertisement reflects on the honour of Members and thus could be said to involve contempt of Parliament.
The Speaker rules that an advertisement portraying influence peddling could be a contempt of Parliament as it reflects on the honour of Members.
February 25, 1981
There is no question of privilege because Members' duties do not expressly require them to attend press lock-ups. Furthermore, if the denial of entry put the Member at a disadvantage, it is a...
The Speaker ruled that being denied entry to a press lock-up is not a breach of privilege as it is not an express duty of a Member.
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.
January 30, 1981
Parliamentary privilege is very limited, and is essentially restricted to freedom of speech, access to the Parliamentary Buildings, immunity against arrest or molestation, and exemption from...
The Speaker ruled that a Minister changing a commitment is a political grievance, not a breach of parliamentary privilege.
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.
November 6, 1980
The original resolution of the House respecting the introduction of television states that the House approves the radio and television broadcasting of its proceedings and of the proceedings of its...
The Speaker ruled that parliamentary committees cannot broadcast their proceedings without first receiving explicit authorization from the House of Commons.
October 29, 1980
Certain interventions touching upon Members' privileges of freedom of speech and liable to influence Members in the exercise of their duties, such as editorials and other public comment, do not...
The Speaker ruled that a government advertising campaign did not constitute a breach of privilege as pressure from an outside body is not, in itself, interference with parliamentary proceedings.
October 24, 1980
All Members have the right to speak and the Standing Orders are specifically designed so as to enable them to express themselves. Moreover, the provisions of the Standing Orders were adopted by...
The Speaker ruled that a closure motion adopted by the House must be enforced, thereby ending the debate and overriding an individual Member's right to speak.
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 17, 1980
The Member has the right to express his disagreement following the Minister's decision, and this very important question of principle certainly deserves to be debated. However, there is no...
The Speaker ruled that a Minister's non-disclosure of public opinion polls did not constitute a prima facie breach of privilege.