Ruling
November 9, 1981
Right to speak; recognition by the Chair
Hon. Jeanne Sauvé
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The microphones are activated upon instructions from the Chair and only when the Chair gives the floor to a Member by identifying him by the name of his constituency. This is the only way to be recognized in the House. A Member need not think that he has the floor merely because his microphone has been activated. The microphone operators do not make any decisions and it is the Speaker who, by being able to turn off the microphones from her seat in case of error, retains the ultimate discretion over who has the floor of the House.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Recognition by the Chair, not an activated microphone, grants a Member the right to speak in the House."
AI Summary
The Speaker rules that only formal recognition by the Chair, not an activated microphone, grants a Member the right to speak.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Other
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- General Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High