Ruling
February 23, 1984
Question and comment period must relate to previous Member's speech
Hon. Lloyd Francis
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
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<p class="decision-chapter">Rules of Debate - Order and Decorum / Relevance</p>
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<p class="d-DecisionDate">
<time>February 23, 1984</time>
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<p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3202_02/517?r=0&s=1">p. 1691</a></p>
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<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2>
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<p class="g-ContextResoEdNotePostscript">During debate on the Budget presented by Mr. Lalonde (Minister of Finance), at the end of the ten-minute question and comment period following the speech of Mr. Simmons (Burin—St. George's), the Acting Speaker (Mr. Guilbault) commented on the proper use of this new procedure.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Must questions and comments made during the ten-minute period reserved for questions and comments relate to the substance of the Member's speech?</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Yes. Questions and comments must be relevant to the preceding speech.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Standing Order 35(2)(b) is very precise about the purpose of the question and comment period; it is to allow Members to ask questions and comment briefly on matters relevant to the preceding speech and to allow responses thereto. It is not intended for "mud slinging or the type of speeches that are more at home on hustings during an election campaign."</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Standing Order 35(2)(b).</p>
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Edit Metadata
Holding
"The period for questions and comments following a member's speech must be directly related to the content of that speech."
AI Summary
A ruling affirming that the questions and comments period following a speech must remain relevant to the content of that speech.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Debate
- Significance
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High