Point of Order
November 4, 1981
Committee chairmen
Hon. Jeanne Sauvé
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
There can be no doubt, as numerous precedents indicate, that questions to chairmen of committees are in order when such questions relate to procedural matters, for example, the time and place of meetings and questions of a similar nature. Chairmen are free to answer or not answer. In addition, "a member may not seek by means of a question to the chairman to interfere in the proceedings of a committee...by suggesting a particular subject for inquiry." In this instance the questions were put in such a way that they could have been construed as dealing with the business of the House in general, and the President of the Privy Council accordingly responded. No preference was given to either Member, and the question was answered; it is not for the Chair to decide who should have answered the question. There are therefore no grounds for a point of order nor for a question of privilege.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"A question directed to a committee chair that can be interpreted as relating to general House business may be answered by a minister, and the Chair will not rule on who is the appropriate respondent."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a point of order, ruling that a minister may answer a question addressed to a committee chair if it touches on general House business.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Not specified
- Significance
Low
High