Point of Order
October 3, 2018
Government alleged to have wilfully misled the House
Hon. Geoff Regan
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Speaker:
I have to remind the hon. member for Rimouski-Neigette — Témiscouata—Les Basques that we do not accuse someone of wilfully misleading the House or deliberately misleading the House. One can say that someone misleads because that, of course, could be by accident, but he cannot say "wilfully". I would ask him to withdraw and apologize for that.
Following this ruling, Mr. Caron reiterated his initial accusations against the government, prompting the Speaker to offer him the opportunity to withdraw his comments and to apologize. Mr. Caron subsequently apologized.
[2].
[1]
Debates, October 3, 2018, p. 22148.
[2]
Debates, October 3, 2018, p. 22148.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Accusing a Member or the Government of 'wilfully' or 'deliberately' misleading the House is unparliamentary and requires immediate withdrawal and apology, as it imputes improper motives."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that imputing willful intent by accusing a member of 'wilfully misleading the House' is unparliamentary and requires withdrawal and apology.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Sustained
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Debate Process
- Significance
Low
High