Privilege / Reflections upon a Member

Reflections upon a Member

Journals p. 645

Debates p. 6882

Background

As a question of privilege, Mr. Cossitt (Leeds) charged that CBC President Laurent Picard had sought to influence and intimidate him as a Member of Parliament for recent remarks made in the House respecting a Soviet journalist and a CBC executive producer. Mr. Picard made statements carried on CBC television and radio to the effect that Mr. Cossitt was "hiding behind parliamentary immunity".

Issue

Do statements of opinion which are made by prominent officials and which are critical of Members provide sufficient cause for a question of privilege?

Decision

In this case there is no question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Nothing that anyone says about the conduct or performance, the speech or contribution of any Member could in general terms be taken as interference with his right to speak or to operate as a Member of the House of Commons.

The Member's right to speak and express his opinion has not been interfered with in fact or in theory. Commentaries and editorials cannot be considered intimidation.

References

Debates, June 18, 1975, pp. 6880-2.