The House and its Members

Introduction

The House of Commons conducts its business in its exclusive physical settings and under administrative structures of its making. One of the roles of the Speaker is to facilitate members’ use of these settings and structures and to communicate members’ needs to those who support them.

Several rulings and statements exemplify the breadth and character of the decisions included in this chapter. Speaker Regan addressed the restoration of the Centre Block building, access to the House of Commons and the parliamentary precinct, and the limits of the Speaker’s power to intervene.

On December 13, 2018, the House of Commons sat in Centre Block for the last time before being relocated to an interim chamber in a newly renovated West Block. This historic transition allowed Centre Block to begin undergoing a major renovation and restoration process. Speaker Regan made statements to the House both upon the final sitting in Centre Block before the restoration was set to begin and upon the first sitting in West Block. These statements paid tribute to the splendour of Centre Block while assuring members that, despite inevitable adjustments, parliamentary work would continue uninterrupted in the new chamber.

Speaker Regan had occasions to deliver decisions related to both chambers. In one case, a member’s assistant was denied entry to the Centre Block gallery during the budget speech as remaining seats had apparently been reserved for guests of the Minister of Finance. In another, a group of young Canadians who had come to Parliament Hill to engage with members during an event commemorating Black History Month encountered inexplicable problems. In both instances, the Speaker acknowledged that the grievances were justified and he committed to ensuring that guests be allowed due access. In the latter case, the Speaker shared an apology from the Parliamentary Protective Service and noted that an internal investigation had been launched.

Another ruling involved allegations that a meeting of an interparliamentary association had been held unlawfully. In his decision, Speaker Regan noted the distinction between the work of interparliamentary associations and proceedings of the House, and that such questions were better put to the Joint Interparliamentary Council or the Board of Internal Economy.

Speaker Regan was also asked to rule on allegations that a caucus had failed to uphold section 49.8 of the Parliament of Canada Act regarding the process for expelling a member from caucus. The Speaker explained that he had no role in the interpretation of the provisions of the Act.

In response to a point of order about the role of committee chairs and vice-chairs in answering questions about the agenda or schedule of committees during Oral Questions, the Speaker clarified that it is not the role of the Chair to judge the quality of answers, and noted that he would allow chairs and vice-chairs the benefit of the doubt when judging whether their answers strayed beyond the limited scope allowed.