Question of Privilege
March 2, 1973
Reflections on a Member
Hon. Lucien Lamoureux
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The actual words used in the newspaper article are "purveyor of hatred against the Government". This puts a somewhat different slant on the news story, and on the offending statement itself. It is doubtful that a court would find the words allegedly used to be defamatory. "Perhaps the real question relates to the propriety of a public servant, employed in the special capacity of assisting a Minister, making derogatory remarks at a public meeting about a Member of Parliament." Sending the matter to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections would not assist the Member or correct the situation.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"Derogatory remarks by a public servant about a Member, while improper, do not necessarily constitute a prima facie breach of privilege and the matter will not be referred to committee."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a question of privilege, ruling that a public servant's derogatory remarks about a Member were improper but not a prima facie breach.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Neutral
- Significance
Low
High