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February 28, 1983
As difficult as the Chair finds it not to allow a Member to respond to an accusation, a question addressed to a Minister must deal with a matter that falls within his current responsibilities, and...
The Speaker ruled that questions to ministers must concern their current portfolio responsibilities, not those from a previous one.
November 16, 1982
In this particular case, a direct order by the House is not involved, but rather a resolution requesting that an Address be presented to His Excellency praying that the document in question be...
The Speaker ruled that the Chair cannot determine the scope of documents requested by a House order, as that interpretation is a matter for the government to decide.
April 7, 1982
Under the Standing Orders, the Chair has no discretionary power to have petitions read, except in cases where a petition claimed some present personal grievance requiring an immediate remedy; then...
The Speaker ruled that a petition cannot be read aloud by order of the Chair unless it addresses an urgent personal grievance or receives unanimous consent.
November 4, 1981
There can be no doubt, as numerous precedents indicate, that questions to chairmen of committees are in order when such questions relate to procedural matters, for example, the time and place of...
The Speaker denied a point of order, ruling that a minister may answer a question addressed to a committee chair if it touches on general House business.
March 31, 1981
Only the House can decide whether to discontinue or not to initiate a debate. Whatever the practice followed, the sub judice convention does not apply when studying bills, that is while the House...
The Speaker ruled that the sub judice convention does not prevent the House from debating legislative matters, including constitutional resolutions, even if the subject is before the courts.