Question of Privilege
October 16, 1986
Abuse of Commons' stationery, mailing and franking privileges: alleged misuse of Commons' stationery and franking privileges for partisan political purposes
Hon. John Fraser
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Speaker:
The Chair feels that there has been sufficient argument on the point of privilege raised by the honourable Member for Kootenay West and to which the honourable member for Nanaimo—Alberni spoke. The Chair has been assisted by the interventions from all sides of the House. I am persuaded by the honourable Member for Saint-Jacques (Mr. Jacques Guilbault)—and that argument was supported by the honourable Member for York Centre (Hon. Robert Kaplan)—that the Chair should not move without great care in ruling on whether or not a communication sent under the frank is a question of privilege. However, having said that, I think it is clear that there could be cases where, depending upon the content of the communication sent under the frank, it could be a question of privilege if the content worked against the right of Members to free expression and the carrying out of their obligations as Members.
I have had the opportunity to look carefully at the document in question. It is the view of the Chair—without at the moment commenting on the propriety of sending that particular document, and I want that clearly understood that I am not commenting on that at the moment—that it is not a question of privilege.
The question of propriety, which has been clearly raised as a matter of concern to honourable members, is properly a matter that ought to be taken up in another place. The Chair has no power to allow a private Member to table the particular document, and the Chair cannot unilaterally refer the matter to whatever committee might be appropriate to do so. That is a matter which Members can consider among themselves, and there are other means to deal with the issue. Again, I find that it is not a question of privilege. I am not commenting on whether it may very well be an appropriate subject in front of another forum.
I want to thank all honourable Members for their interventions which have been helpful to me. Especially I want to thank the honourable Member for Kootenay West and the honourable Member for Nanaimo—Alberni for bringing notice of this and giving me the opportunity to see in advance the actual document.
F0106-e 33-2 1986-10-16.
[1]
Debates, October 16, 1986, pp. 402-5.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The specific communication sent under the franking privilege does not constitute a prima facie question of privilege; the issue of its propriety is a matter for another forum, not the Chair."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a question of privilege regarding the misuse of the franking privilege, ruling it was a matter of propriety for another forum to consider.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Ruling on a Question of Privilege
- Significance
Low
High