The Daily Program / Routine Proceedings

Statements by Ministers: advance notice to the opposition parties

March 18, 1987

Debates, p. 4305

On March 18, 1987, the Hon. Herb Gray (Windsor West) rose on a point of order regarding the notice given by the Government about a statement the Minister of Employment and Immigration (Hon. Benoît Bouchard) was preparing to make during “Statements by Ministers”. According to Mr. Gray, the Government had given the opposition parties only one hour’s notice rather than the usual notice of at least two hours. He argued that this violated the informal understanding between the Government and the opposition in such matters. Other Members also addressed the issue.^[1] The Chair ruled immediately. The decision is reproduced in full below.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: I must say it is impossible for the Chair to come down with a satisfactory ruling in a case like this. There is obviously a problem between the Government and the two opposition parties. It is also clear it has always been the custom and even tradition here in the House to give sufficient notice when a Minister intends to make a statement or a speech in the House. I am very unhappy about the situation, but I repeat, it is impossible for the Chair to come up with a satisfactory solution.

Honourable Members have been on both sides of the Chamber. I would urge all Government Ministers to give as much notice as possible in cases where the critics have an obligation to respond. This is a completely understandable tradition. It has not always been honoured, and in that regard, perhaps Members on both sides of the Chamber in this particular Parliament are not blameless. The Chair has been here for some years. I have certainly heard this complaint before and I have been in a position where I have made the complaint. I know the honourable Parliamentary Secretary (Mr. Doug Lewis) will urge members of the Cabinet to make an extra effort to give adequate notice.

For the benefit of members of the public who are watching, the reason for adequate notice is that the critics who must respond to a Minister’s statement do require time to think through the implications of the statement and its subject matter, and also for the formulation of a response. A statement by a Minister may be very brief but, nonetheless, a statement is important, or it would not be made in the House. I must say that I commend the Government for the fact that it is making a great many statements in the House. That is in the traditions of this place and it is a good thing. However, I would ask honourable Ministers to remember that the critics of the opposition parties have their jobs to do too, and in the public interest of Canada, and notice wherever possible ought to be given with as much regard to the courtesies and traditions of this place as possible. Having said that, I hope honourable Members will accept that the matter is closed. Under the rules, I must hear the honourable Minister.

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1987-03-18