Personal attack; right of reply

<div class="DecisionMain" role="main"> <p class="decision-chapter"> Rules of Debate / Unparliamentary Language </p> <p class="d-DecisionDate"> <time>June 16, 1982</time> </p> <p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3201_16/857?r=0&amp;s=1">pp. 18527-8</a></p> <div> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2> </div> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">During the introduction of an opposition motion dealing with supply, Mr. Chretien (Minister of Justice) immediately rose on a question of privilege following remarks made of him by Mr. Riis (Kamloops—Shuswap) which accused him of "inappropriate conduct". The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ethier) ruled immediately.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Does a Member have the right of reply to a personal attack?</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Yes. The Standing Orders allow a Member to intervene when a personal attack is involved.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">According to one authority, a personal attack, by one Member upon another, is an offence against the House. Moreover, the Standing Orders expressly prohibit the use of disrespectful words or offensive remarks against a Member of the House. In such cases, a Member who has been the object of such remarks has the right to express himself.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Standing Order 35.</p> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 117, c. 128.</p> </div>