The Daily Program / Routine Proceedings

September 29, 1987

Debates, p. 9419

On June 25, 1987, Mr. Les Benjamin (Regina West) rose on a point of order to make a suggestion about the calling of the individual names listed under the item “Motions” during Routine Proceedings. He asked whether the Speaker could stop reading the entire list on the Order Paper and instead simply ask the House whether all the motions on the day’s Order Paper should “stand”. Mr. Doug Lewis (Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Privy Council) supported the Mr. Benjamin’s proposal and suggested the Speaker consider it over the summer. The Speaker took the matter under consideration^[1] and on September 29, 1987, made a statement on this matter.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: Honourable Members will recall that several months ago, there was some discussion about altering the form of Routine Proceedings by eliminating the necessity under Motions and Bills of reading an endless list of honourable Members’ names, only to say after each name that the matter would stand. It seemed to be the disposition of the House that we try to eliminate that. As a consequence, the Chair has given consideration to the matter and I will read a statement which will perhaps meet the suggestions of honourable Members. We could try this at least until the turn of the year.

On June 25, 1987, the honourable Member for Regina West raised a point of order regarding the amount of time spent reading aloud individual items during Routine Proceedings. Specifically, he mentioned the large number of Members whose Notices of Motions are listed on the Order Paper. The same comment would apply to the introduction and first reading of bills.

The honourable Member suggested that the Chair not read a lengthy list but rather say something to the effect of: “Shall all the motions shown on today’s Order Paper stand?” The honourable Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader supported the suggestion and the Chair undertook to examine the possibility of streamlining the proceedings.

After examination of past practice and the Business of the House as listed on the Order Paper and after consultation with the three parties, I am prepared to offer the following proposal which will be reviewed after the Christmas recess.

The Chair will announce each heading under Daily Routine of Business. Members wishing to be recognized will, as is customary, rise in their places. After reading the heading Introduction of Government Bills, Introduction of Private Members’ Bills and Motions, the Chair will no longer call each Minister or Member whose item of business is listed on the Order Paper under those headings. Rather, the Speaker will simply announce those types of business and be prepared to recognize those Members if they rise. This should provide sufficient opportunity for Members to bring their business forward.

In order to ensure the effectiveness of this procedure, I should like to suggest to the honourable Members that it is always useful to notify in advance one of the Table Clerks of the time they intend to move their motions or introduce their bills during Routine Proceedings.

I wish to thank all honourable Members for their helpful suggestions and I hope that this proposal reflects the over-all attitude of the House in its eagerness to operate more effectively.

This procedure became the regular practice of the House.

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1987-09-29