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February 2, 2023
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the point of order raised on January 31 by the member for Calgary Nose Hill concerning the government's response to written Question No. 974. In her...
The Speaker denied a point of order concerning an incomplete government response, ruling that the Chair cannot evaluate the content or substance of answers to written questions.
February 17, 2015
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the question of privilege raised on January 26, 2015, by the Member for Pierrefonds—Dollard related to the Government's response to written question...
The Speaker denied a question of privilege concerning a 'non-answer' to a written question, affirming the Chair's inability to judge the content or preparation of government responses.
November 27, 2012
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the point of order raised on November 5, 2012, by the hon. Member for Westmount—Ville-Marie and the House Leader of the Liberal Party, regarding the...
The Speaker ruled that mentioning the cost of preparing a response to a written question is permissible during Oral Questions, even though it is forbidden in the written response itself.
April 3, 2012
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the question of privilege raised on March 28, 2012, by the Member for Laurier—Sainte-Marie concerning the Government's response to written question Q-410....
The Speaker ruled that an incomplete government response to a written question does not constitute a prima facie breach of privilege as the Chair cannot judge the sufficiency of answers.
October 18, 2006
The Speaker: I am now ready to rule on the point of order raised on September 20, 2006, by the hon. Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for...
The Speaker ruled a lengthy written question inadmissible due to a lack of coherence and ordered it split into three separate questions.
February 6, 2003
The Speaker: I am now prepared to rule on the point of order raised on January 27 by the hon. Government House Leader concerning written questions and the difficulties experienced by the...
The Speaker ruled that the Chair cannot judge the merits of complex written questions, only their form, and the government must either answer them or state why it cannot.
February 8, 1999
The Speaker: I am ready to make a ruling on the point of order raised on December 8, 1998, by the honourable member for Delta—South Richmond concerning questions on the Order Paper. First of all I...
The Speaker ruled that the Clerk can divide complex written questions and that the Chair cannot enforce response deadlines or judge the factual content of government answers.
June 14, 1989
The Speaker: The Chair is now prepared to rule on the point raised on May 29 and May 30, 1989 concerning the uses of Standing Order 39(6) and questions on the Order Paper. Before summarizing the...
The Speaker denied the government's request to use an archaic rule to convert lengthy written questions into notices of motion, affirming private members' rights to seek information.
May 18, 1989
The Speaker: This is not the first time that this matter has been brought to the attention of the Chair. I said some time ago that whatever the rule may be—and I will refer to the rule in a...
The Speaker ruled that the Chair lacks the authority to enforce the 45-day response time for written questions as it is a 'request' under the Standing Orders, not a mandatory requirement.