Routine Proceedings / Motions

Committee report; Standing Orders

Journals pp. 1397-9

Debates pp. 11567-8

Background

While the House considered the amendment of Mr. Baldwin (Peace River) to the motion to concur in the third report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and Organization, Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre) rose on a point of order to state that the content of the motion was unacceptable. He maintained that the proposed rules contained in the report threatened to destroy the balance between the Government and Opposition in the House. He requested that the Speaker advise the House that an attempt to make rules by action of a government majority is contrary to the rules and privilege of Parliament and is consequently out of order, as provided by Standing Order 51.

Issue

Should the Speaker use his discretionary authority under Standing Order 51 to set aside the motion for concurrence?

Decision

The Chair declines to set aside the motion.

Reasons given by the Speaker

It is acknowledged that "the report is not the report of the majority". At the same time, the parliamentary system does not recognize minority and majority reports, but only the report of a committee which is put before the House for adoption or rejection. The request seeks to have the Chair, under the provisions of the Standing Orders, substitute its judgment for the judgment of Members. The Chair questions if it can do this in accordance with parliamentary tradition. It is duty of the Chair, as the servant of the House, to rule on such matters in accordance with the rules, regulations, and Standing Orders. The Chair should not be placed in this kind of position and counts on Members on both sides to ensure that this does not happen again.

Sources cited

Standing Order 51.

References

Debates, July 24, 1969, pp. 11555-67.