The Decision-Making Process / Divisions

Recorded divisions: guidelines; Members to remain in their places during division

Debates, p. 10390

Context

On April 9, 1990, during a series of votes on the report stage motions in amendment to Bill C-62, respecting the Goods and Services Tax, Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier (Ottawa—Vanier) rose on a point of order to object to the fact that Members were moving about the House during the votes, contrary to long-standing tradition. The Speaker ruled at once.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: Beauchesne’s Parliamentary Rules and Forms, Fifth Edition, Citation 223, paragraph 2, states very clearly:

A Member must be in his own seat should he wish to vote and should remain in his seat until the division is complete and the result announced.

I point out that that is a long-standing rule. There is no question about it. It is not for the Chair to intervene unless a point of order has been called. A point of order has been called. There is a reason for the rule. We are in a series of votes, but even if it was only one vote, the rule is to avoid confusion and to add to the efficacy of a democratic vote in this Chamber. I would ask all honourable Members to cooperate.

F0413-e

34-2

1990-04-09