Point of Order
February 8, 1982
Permissive rule
Hon. Jeanne Sauvé
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The provision in our Standing Orders that deals with statements by Ministers is permissive, not mandatory. It says very clearly that a Minister may make a statement on a matter of policy or any other subject he may find appropriate. The Speaker of the House cannot oblige Ministers to make a statement in the House. It is up to the Minister to decide whether he wants to make a statement in the House or prefers to make an announcement outside the House.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The Speaker cannot compel a Minister to make a statement in the House, as the relevant Standing Order is permissive, not mandatory."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that Standing Orders are permissive, not mandatory, regarding ministerial statements, and thus cannot compel a minister to make an announcement in the House.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High