The Daily Program / Daily Proceedings

Statements by Members: singing

October 3, 2005

Debates, p. 8331

On October 3, 2005, Brian Pallister (Portage–Lisgar), recognized to make a statement pursuant to Standing Order 31, began his statement by singing. The Speaker interrupted him and invited him to limit his intervention to the spoken word.^[1] Later during the sitting, the Speaker made a statement regarding the incident and urged all Members to refrain from singing during Statements by Members. He added that, while the reciting of poetry had become acceptable over time, singing had not.

Statement of the Chair

The Speaker: During Standing Order 31 statements the hon. Member for Portage–Lisgar chose to begin his statement melodically. While I am sure all hon. Members appreciated his voice and obvious talent in this regard, I would point out that under Standing Order 31 it is stated:

A Member may be recognized, under the provisions of Standing Order 30(5), to make a statement for not more than one minute. The Speaker may order a Member to resume his or her seat if, in the opinion of the Speaker, improper use is made of this Standing Order.

I would also point out that on page 365 of Marleau and Montpetit it states:

The Speaker retains discretion over the acceptability of each statement and has the authority to order a Member to resume his or her seat if improper use is being made of this Standing Order.

I do not claim to have a precedent where Members broke into song in the midst of their presentation under Standing Order 31 but in this case I felt that perhaps singing was unnecessary. I would urge hon. Members to restrain themselves in singing during Standing Order 31 statements and perhaps do that on the national anthem day on Wednesday, and use the usual verbal things, the spoken word.

I note that we often get poems during Standing Order 31 statements made by Members who clearly have poetic talents. We will leave the matter of poetry, which seems to have been acceptable over a period of time, but singing perhaps is rising to new heights that we need not ascend. I would invite the hon. Member for Portage–Lisgar to stick with the spoken word.

Mr. Brian Pallister (Portage–Lisgar, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I must say that I totally accept your ruling, although in this dour and dismal place I think it would be a true sad thing for us not to have the presence of music on a regular basis. In fact, it might increase the degree of affinity among the Members of this House and the joy that we should experience in representing the people of Canada if we sang more and yelled less.

The Speaker: I do not disagree with the hon. Member’s suggestion. Perhaps he could go to the Procedure and House Affairs Committee and make a presentation and perhaps arrange a singsong in the Committee meeting, which the Chairman I am sure would find in order given his affinity for excellent singing.