Rules of Debate / Tabling of Documents

Administrative responsibilities of a Minister

Debates p. 22897

Background

On February 11, Mr. Baker (Nepean—Carleton) rose on a point of order concerning the tabling, on February 10, by Mr. MacEachen (Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for External Affairs), of an exchange of notes between Canada and the United States regarding the testing of cruise missiles. Mr. Baker argued that this was a document tabled pursuant to an act of Parliament and that, according to the Standing Orders, the Minister should have designated the committee to which the document should be referred, in this case the Standing Committee on External Affairs and National Defence. After hearing Members' comments, the Speaker took the matter under consideration and ruled a few days later.

Issue

Was the document tabled pursuant to an act of Parliament?

Decision

No. The Minister tabled it on his own initiative.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Standing Orders stipulate that a Minister may table in the House any report or other paper dealing with a matter falling within his administrative responsibilities. According to Beauchesne, these documents may be tabled voluntarily.

Sources cited

Standing Order 46.

Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 135, c. 379(2).

References

Debates, February 11, 1983, pp. 22752-5.