Selected Decisions of Speaker Jeanne Sauvé 1980-1984
Motions without Notice Proposed under Standing Order 43 and Statements by Members under Standing Order 21 (Provisional) / Miscellaneous
Reference to the Royal Family
Debates p. 26861
Background
On June 21, Mr. Stewart (Simcoe South) having made a statement under the provisions of Standing Order 21, Mr. Collenette (York East) rose on a point of order to assert that "while the Hon. Member has every right to make partisan statements, ...he has no right to use the Royal Family to influence debate". The Speaker took the question under consideration in order to study the blues, and ruled some days later.
Issue
Can a Member mention the Royal Family during a statement under Standing Order 21?
Decision
Yes, but the case is a borderline one.
Reasons given by the Speaker
The Member's statement, of course, does not constitute debate, for the very fact that during that period there was no motion before the House. The practice in the House is that the names of the Royal Family and the Governor General should not be brought into debate. Members must use great discretion in mentioning the Royal Family in their statements or in the course of their argumentation.
Sources cited
Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 103, c. 316(g).
May, 19th ed., p. 426.