Guidelines

<div class="DecisionMain" role="main"> <p class="decision-chapter">Questions / Oral Questions</p> <p class="d-DecisionDate"> <time>April 14, 1975</time> </p> <p class="e-Debates">Journals <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.HOC_3001_121_01/398">pp. 439-41</a></p> <p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3001_05/402?r=0&amp;s=1">pp. 4762-4</a></p> <div> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2> </div> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">On April 7, 1975, an experiment in procedure, designating a fixed time for the Question Period, began. The Speaker used the occasion to explain general principles by which the Question Period should be conducted.</p> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">1) Question Period has evolved from a privilege to a right for any Member. The Speaker, however, enjoys discretion in allowing a question, and even more so with a supplementary.</p> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">2) When answering a question Ministers may:</p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li>answer the question;</li> <li>defer their answer;</li> <li>take the question as notice;</li> <li>make a short explanation as to why they cannot make an answer at that time;</li> <li>say nothing.</li> </ul> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">3) A question must:</p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li>be a question;</li> <li>be brief;</li> <li>seek information;</li> <li>address itself to an important matter of some urgency;</li> <li>be within the administrative responsibility of the government or the Minister addressed.</li> </ul> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">4) A question must not:</p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li>be a statement, representation or argument;</li> <li>be an expression of opinion;</li> <li>be hypothetical;</li> <li>seek an opinion, either legal or of policy;</li> <li>suggest the answer;</li> <li>make a representation;</li> <li>address a Minister in his former portfolio;</li> <li>be a question previously answered;</li> <li>be on a matter which is <i>sub judice</i>;</li> <li>refer to statements made by Ministers outside the House;</li> <li>anticipate Orders of the Day.</li> </ul> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">5) Supplementary questions:</p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc"> <li>should contain no preamble or statement;</li> <li>should be precise and should be put directly and immediately to the Minister.</li> </ul> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">6) Question Period will not be interrupted by questions of privilege or points of order.</p> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">7) The proper way to deal with any unsatisfactory answer is through the adjournment debate.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">References</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 5th ed., pp. 129-34, c. 356-71.</p> </div>