Question of Privilege
March 4, 1981
Conflicting statements by Ministers
Hon. Jeanne Sauvé
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
If it is true to say that a Member elected to a constituency also represents the whole country, then one cannot deny that each member of the Cabinet represents all of Canada. Moreover, the tradition is that regions not represented in Parliament by the governing party have a representative in Cabinet, in this case a regional minister. Furthermore, the choice exercised in assigning to a Minister, either responsibility for a region, or for a constituency, may be a grievance rather than a matter of privilege.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The assignment of ministerial responsibility for a specific region or constituency is a political matter that may be considered a grievance, but it does not constitute a prima facie question of privilege."
AI Summary
The Speaker rules that the assignment of ministerial responsibilities for a region is a potential political grievance, not a breach of privilege.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Not specified
- Significance
Low
High