Question of Privilege
June 23, 1977
Impeding the House
Hon. James Jerome
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
Under the umbrella of privilege, a Member has raised a matter of grievance and expressed a personal statement. This is a practice which is allowed under certain circumstances even though it does not constitute a question of privilege.
It was suggested that the Minister of Transport, in his attempt to suppress publication of critical material, might have benefited unduly from his position as a Minister of the Crown. The Chair has heard nothing to indicate that any undue influence was exercised by the Minister. On the contrary, the Chair has heard the Minister himself explain that his approach was properly carried out through his solicitor.
The comments made by the Member for Maisonneuve—Rosemont do not constitute a matter of privilege. Instead, the Members can consider the matter through debate on the relevant legislative proposals as they pass through the required stages.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The matter raised is a grievance, not a question of privilege, as there is no evidence the Minister exercised undue influence; the issue should be handled through regular debate."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled that a Minister acting through a solicitor to address critical material does not constitute a breach of privilege but is a matter for debate.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Ruling on a Question of Privilege
- Significance
Low
High