Rules of Debate / Miscellaneous

October 13, 1987

Debates, pp. 9898-9

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-86, respecting the resumption of postal services, the Hon. Harvie Andre (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs) read to the House a list of incidents which had occurred during a labour dispute between the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and Canada Post. Ms. Sheila Copps (Hamilton East) rose on a point of order to request that the Minister table the document from which he had quoted. Mr. Andre indicated that he had read the complete document and Ms. Copps could have his copy if she wished.  When Ms. Copps reiterated the requirement for tabling of the document, the Minister indicated that he had been reading from notes prepared for him and that there was no requirement for him to table notes. Other Members also called upon the Minister to table the document he had quoted.^[1] The Acting Speaker (Hon. Andrée Champagne) made two comments on the matter. They are quoted in part below.

Decision of the Chair

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Champagne): … The Honourable Minister has now put the point in a very succinct fashion by stating that they are notes which were prepared for him in order to address the House this morning. A Minister does not have to table personal notes. It will be his decision whether or not to give the Honourable Member a copy of his notes [...]

The Chair at this point is referring to [Beauchesne, Fifth Edition] Citation 327 where it states:

327.(1) A Minister of the Crown is not at liberty to read or quote from a despatch or other state paper not before the House....

From my understanding of what the Minister has stated, what he is quoting from is not a despatch or a state paper. Henceforth, I see no obligation for the Minister to table the document.

On the other hand, I would ask that the Minister consider making it available to the honourable Member, as the Minister has stated he would.

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1987-10-13