Routine Proceedings / Tabling of Documents

Tabling of documents

Debates p. 1455

Background

During Routine Proceedings, Mr. McGrath (St. John's East) rose on a point of order to ask that Mr. Gray (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs) table a study commissioned by the Canadian Consumer Council and published by the Minister's office. The Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Do the Standing Orders oblige a Minister to table studies published by his or her department?

Decision

No. Ministers are not obliged to table documents of this kind.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The relevant Standing Order cannot be interpreted "as imposing an obligation on a Minister to table [such a] document".

Sources cited

Standing Order 41(2).

References

Debates, April 16, 1974, p. 1455.