The Decision-making Process / Miscellaneous

Recorded divisions: decorum

December 7, 2006

Debates, p. 5813

On December 7, 2006, Rob Nicholson (Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform), rose to speak to a question of privilege raised by Bill Graham (Toronto Centre) with respect to a response given during Oral Questions. While speaking, he expressed disappointment with the conduct of Members of the Official Opposition during a recorded division held earlier that day on a motion standing in his name on marriage. The Government House Leader noted that some Members of the Official Opposition had yelled at Members of the Government as they were getting up to vote in favour of the motion.^[1] After hearing from other Members on the question of privilege and taking the matter under advisement, the Speaker, that same day, addressed the comments made by the Government House Leader. He cited Standing Order 16(1), which addresses decorum during votes in the House, and urged Members to remain silent in compliance with this important rule when votes are being conducted. (Editor’s Note: That part of the Speaker’s statement is reproduced below.)

Statement of the Chair

The Speaker: The Government House Leader raised his point about the yelling during the vote and I would point out to all hon. Members that Standing Order 16(1) states:

When the Speaker is putting a question, no Member shall enter, walk out of or across the House, or make any noise or disturbance.

I know all hon. Members will want to bear that rule in mind the next time we have a vote in the House and maintain absolute silence while the vote is being conducted. There will be no noise or disturbance. There will be no yelling across the House at anyone, I am sure, from now on, because I have reminded hon. Members of this very old and very important rule as part of our Standing Orders.