Other
March 11, 1966
Reading from a newspaper
Hon. Lucien Lamoureux
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
<div class="DecisionMain" role="main">
<p class="decision-chapter">Rules of Debate / Miscellaneous</p>
<p class="d-DecisionDate">
<time>March 11, 1966</time>
</p>
<p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2701_03/333?r=0&s=1">pp. 2589-90</a></p>
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<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2>
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<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">During discussion of a question of privilege [Munsinger case] relating to the account in certain newspapers of statements made by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Caouette (Villeneuve) proposed to read a newspaper article. Mr. Nielsen (Yukon) rose on a point of order to object to this action. After hearing Members' comments, the Deputy Speaker ruled.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Is it permissible to read in the House an extract from a newspaper article criticizing commenting on or denying what has been said in the House?</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">No; it is out of order.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Deputy Speaker</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">A Member "would not be in order in reading statements of other people ... which he would not make on his own responsibility in the House". Further, the authorities and precedents are clear that "it is not in order to read articles in newspapers, letters or communications emanating from persons outside the House and referring to, commenting on, or denying anything said by a Member, or expressing any opinion reflecting on proceedings in the House".</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 132-3, c. 157(3), (5) and (6).</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">References</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Debates, March 11, 1966, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2701_03/332">pp. 2588-9</a>. </p>
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Edit Metadata
Holding
"The input is insufficient to provide a ruling as it only describes a procedural topic. The general rule is that members may not read their speeches but may make use of notes and quote from documents like newspapers."
AI Summary
A description of the procedural issue of reading from a newspaper, which is generally permissible as quoting but not as a substitute for a speech.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Neutral
- Significance
Low
High
AI Keywords
Cited Authorities
- House of Commons Procedure and Practice (3rd Edition)