Question of Privilege
October 17, 1980
Government advertising campaigns
Hon. Jeanne Sauvé
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
It cannot be said that the Government's spending impedes the House or the Members in the fulfillment of their duties. The fact that certain Members feel that they are disadvantaged by not having the same funds to advertise as the Government does not constitute a prima facie case of privilege. As for the content of the publicity, there is no evidence that it represents false, perverted, partial or injurious reports of the proceedings of the House of Commons, or misrepresentations of Members.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Government advertising campaigns do not impede the House or its Members in their duties and therefore do not meet the criteria for a prima facie case of privilege."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a question of privilege, ruling that government advertising spending does not impede the work of Members or the House.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High