The Daily Program / Weekly Business Statement

Thursday Statement: length of statements

June 12, 2014

Debates, p. 6751

On June 12, 2014, Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North) rose on a point of order regarding the Thursday Statement. He alleged that it had become excessively long due to the great deal of commentary that followed it. He contended that this rubric should be concise and precise, but that if it were to become longer, his party would like to participate in this weekly discussion. Another Member made additional remarks as well.^[1]

Resolution

The Speaker delivered his ruling immediately. He conceded that the length of the Thursday Statement had increased and reminded Members to limit themselves to short comments relevant to the upcoming House business, which is the principle behind the Weekly Business Statement.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: I appreciate the hon. Member for Winnipeg North raising this point, as his colleague from Halifax West did last week.

I have had the opportunity to look at the scope of previous Thursday questions from previous years in previous Parliaments, and it does seem to the Chair that the length of time that the question takes up has certainly expanded.

I do ask Members, the House Leader of the Official Opposition, and the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons to keep in mind the principle behind the Thursday question, which is to inform the House of the upcoming business.

There are other opportunities to debate aspects of the current legislation in terms of the timing of it. Especially as we get into these late days in June, it might be well for them to remember the purpose of the Thursday question and not to have an extension of Question Period or other types of debate.

I do ask them to keep that in mind. I think the House would appreciate a return to the more specific scope of the original Thursday questions.