Ruling
September 11, 1985
Tabling on a point of order
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Minister has neither contravened the practices of the House nor set a precedent. A precedent occurred on December 11, 1973, when a similar motion was tabled by means of a point of order. The Standing Orders permit a Minister of the Crown to table Ways and Means motions at any time during a sitting regardless of the matter then before the House. Some difficulty arises, however, in interpreting the words "at any time" in the absolute; it would not, for instance, be proper to table a Ways and Means motion during Question Period. In future, it would be preferable to table such notices at the end of Government Orders and before Private Members' Business, or after a Member has resumed his or her seat and before another Member is recognized for debate..
Sources cited Standing Order 65.
Debates, December 11, 1973, p. 8639.
References Debates, September 9, 1985, pp. 6420-1; September 10, 1985, pp. 6435-6.
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Holding
"While tabling a Ways and Means motion on a point of order is permissible under the Standing Orders and has precedent, this right is not absolute and should be exercised at non-disruptive times, such as between major items of business."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that tabling a Ways and Means motion on a point of order is permissible but clarified it should be done at non-disruptive times.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Government Orders
- Significance
Low
High