Ruling
November 20, 1984
Signed by both Canadians and non-resident foreigners, admissibility
Hon. John Bosley
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
In Canadian and British precedent there is no clear answer to the admissibility of a petition signed by both Canadian citizens and non-Canadians not resident in Canada. In October 1983 a petition signed exclusively by American citizens was ruled not receivable. Precedents on petitions relating to private bills indicate that petitions from foreigners have on occasion been received when the subject matter related to legislation or an area under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Parliament. So that the Canadian signatories to the present document not be denied their right to petition the House, and since this is the first time this issue has arisen in this Parliament, the Chair asked that the petition be received by unanimous consent. The Speaker suggested that the Standing Committee on Procedure and Organization consider the subject of presentation of petitions..
Sources cited Debates, October 5, 1983, p. 27766.
Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 212, c. 688(1).
References Debates, November 16, 1984, p. 310; November 19, 1984, pp. 360-1.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"A petition signed by both Canadians and non-resident foreigners, while procedurally ambiguous, can be received by unanimous consent to protect the rights of the Canadian signatories, with the general question of admissibility referred to a committee for study."
AI Summary
The Speaker allowed a petition signed by both Canadians and foreigners to be received by unanimous consent, referring the general procedural issue to a committee.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Conciliatory
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High