Ruling
January 20, 1986
Photocopies
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The practice has been that petitions may be consulted upon request, but there has been hesitation to provide copies of the signatures on petitions. The fact remains that petitions are public documents. Petitioners are aware of this fact, and are not required to give their addresses. While the Chair would be reluctant to order that petitions be photocopied at the request of the public at large, it seems quite logical that if a Member may present a petition in the House, the same Member or another Member may also obtain a copy of the petition. Members are responsible for what they do with these copies..
References Debates, December 19, 1985, p. 9644; December 20, 1985, p. 9672.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Members of Parliament are entitled to obtain a photocopy of any petition presented in the House."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that Members of Parliament can obtain photocopies of petitions presented in the House, as they are considered public documents.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High