Statement
June 13, 2012
Procedure for dealing with matters of privilege: length of interventions regarding a question of privilege
Hon. Andrew Scheer
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Acting Speaker:
Before I go to the hon.
Member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, at the time the hon.
Member for Prince George—Peace River rose, I was also rising to interrupt.
I would like to provide all hon.
Members with some guidance in terms of the way in which a point of order or question of privilege ought to be raised. I will quote from House of Commons Procedure and Practice, by O'Brien and Bosc, page 143, related to the initial discussion of points raised. It states:
A Member recognized on a question of privilege is expected to be brief and concise in explaining the event which has given rise to the question of privilege and the reasons why consideration of the event complained of should be given precedence over other House business.
It goes on to state on page 144:
The Speaker will hear the Member and may permit others who are directly implicated in the matter to intervene. In instances where more than one Member is involved in a question of privilege, the Speaker may postpone discussion until all concerned Members can be present in the House. The Speaker also has the discretion to seek the advice of other Members to help him or her in determining whether there is prima facie a matter of privilege involved which would warrant giving the matter priority of consideration over other House business. When satisfied, the Speaker will terminate the discussion.
I bring this to the House's attention. Before I go to the Member for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel and back ultimately to the Member for Winnipeg-North, I will remind all hon.
Members that in the case of a question of privilege, the floor is not the Members' until they choose to stop. The Speaker has the right to terminate that discussion if the Speaker feels that relevant points that have not been previously raised have not been brought forward. That is left to the judgment of the Speaker..
[1]
Debates, June 13, 2012, p. 9374.
[2]
Debates, June 13, 2012, p. 9372.
[3]
Debates, June 11, 2012, pp. 9152–4, June 12, 2012, pp. 9270–2, June 13, 2012, pp. 9387–8.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Members must be brief and concise when raising a question of privilege, and the Speaker has the discretion to terminate the discussion at any time."
AI Summary
The Speaker reminds the House that interventions on questions of privilege must be brief and that the Chair has the authority to terminate the discussion.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Debate
- Significance
Low
High