Privilege / Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous; notice requirement

Journals p. 267

Debates p. 2477

Background

When the House met, Mr. Harkness (Calgary North) attempted to raise a question of privilege in connection with certain remarks [Munsinger case] made by Mr. Cardin (Minister of Justice). However, the Speaker interrupted him because he had yet to receive the written notice as required by the Standing Order. Mr. Harkness replied that his oral notice, conveyed to the Speaker's secretary by telephone, should be considered satisfactory in this case not only because it had been virtually impossible to provide written notice, but also because of the importance and seriousness of the issue.

Issue

Can the requirement for written notice be waived in order to allow a question of privilege?

Decision

The rule clearly requires that written notice be given to the Speaker when a question of privilege is to be raised on an issue beyond the immediate proceedings of the House. [Unanimous consent to waive notice was requested by the Chair and was denied.]

Reasons given by the Speaker

The rule is designed to cover the type of issue that the Member is seeking to raise at the present time. To suspend the operation of this rule in this instance would require the unanimous consent of the House.

Sources cited

Standing Order 41-A.