Point of Order
March 20, 2001
Tabling of Documents: Minister attempting to make a statement
Hon. Peter Milliken
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Speaker:
Order, please. This is not a "Statement by Ministers". We are ready to move to Private Members' Business and while it is always in order for a Minister to table a document, I must say in this case the Minister seems to have stretched the sense of tabling by making a bit of a statement. Clearly it is creating difficulty in the House.
"Tabling of Documents" is one thing and Ministers making statements that cannot be replied to is another and we are getting into the statement category here. I really think it is not appropriate to carry on with this at this time.
Mr. Chuck Strahl:
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. Not only is it inappropriate that the Minister is trying to table the document now, but furthermore I think inquiring minds want to know why the Ethics Commissioner did not have the information in his hand, but it was withheld from him as a contempt— Some hon. Members:
Oh, oh.
The Speaker:
Order, please. I remind hon. Members that Question Period happens at two o'clock. It does not happen at 6.30 p.m. I suggest we draw this to a conclusion.
There are two things to remember. The Government does not require consent to table a document in the House. A Minister may do that at any time. What does require consent are statements by Ministers. We are not getting into that now and that is why I have tried to draw this to a conclusion.
Rt. Hon. Joe Clark:
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I think that the Minister of Industry and the Prime Minister would find unanimous consent if they would agree to lay upon the Table the document of an option for purchase between Mr. Jonas Prince and Akimbo Developments and— Some hon. Members:
Oh, oh.
The Speaker:
Order, please. As I pointed out, this is not Question Period. It is time to move to Private Members' Hour and I respectfully suggest we do that now.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"A Minister may table a document at any time without consent, but may not use this procedure to make a de facto statement, which requires a different procedural slot and allows for replies."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that a Minister's attempt to make a statement while tabling a document was out of order and directed the House to proceed to the next item of business.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Sustained
- Tone
- Stern
- Procedural Stage
- Transition to Private Members' Business
- Significance
Low
High