Question of Privilege
December 10, 1969
Impeding a Member
Hon. Lucien Lamoureux
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The only precedent discovered that is relevant to this case is useful in some respects, but is ultimately unsatisfactory because on that occasion no motion was raised and, consequently, the Speaker was not called upon to make a ruling. Unfortunately, neither the rules nor the authorities are of much use in situations of this kind. Relying, therefore, upon the general definition of privilege as a guide, it cannot be concluded that the conduct of the Minister of Finance "was an effort to obstruct or impede any Member of this House in the discharge of his duty or that such action had the tendency, directly or indirectly, to produce such results". Although there may be a grievance, the problem is really a matter of administration and can be debated in a variety of ways.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The conduct of the Minister of Finance does not constitute a prima facie case of privilege because it did not obstruct or impede a Member in the discharge of their duties; the issue is an administrative grievance that can be debated through other means."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a question of privilege against the Minister of Finance, ruling the matter was an administrative grievance, not an obstruction of a Member's duties.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Not specified
- Significance
Low
High