Privilege / Impeding a Member

Appointment of "twin Members" in certain constituencies

Debates p. 2915

Background

On July 3, Mr. Taylor (Bow River) rose on a question of privilege regarding the appointment of Government Members as "twin Members" in western constituencies, including his own. He was concerned that not only could confidential correspondence between the elected Member, his constituents and Ministers of the Crown be communicated to the office of a "twin"; but also that the appointments were an abuse of public funds. Mr. Taylor said he was prepared to move referral of the matter to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections. The Speaker heard Members' comments and ruled a few days later.

Issue

Does the appointment of Government Members as "twin" Members for certain constituencies constitute a breach of the privileges of the Members elected to represent those constituencies?

Decision

No. There is no prima facie question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"An Honorable Member should not be required to submit his conduct for investigation by the House or a committee thereof until he has been charged with an offence by another Member." No specific instance of improper conduct has been brought forward and moreover, the Member himself acknowledged that he had no evidence of a possible breach of the confidentiality of communications between a Member and his constituents.

Sources cited

Debates, June 19, 1959, pp. 4929-32.

References

Debates, July 3, 1980, pp. 2546-9.