The Daily Program / Statements by Members

April 14, 2000

Debates, p. 6152

On April 14, 2000, after Oral Questions, Bill Blaikie (Winnipeg—Transcona) rose on a point of order regarding the use by a member of the period reserved for members’ statements to promote a fundraising activity for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. Lee Morrison (Cypress Hills—Grasslands) had given the address where donations could be sent.^[1] Mr. Blaikie said it would be wrong for members to make a habit of using their statements to promote certain causes.^[2] After hearing comments from a number of members, the Deputy Speaker (Peter Milliken) ruled immediately.

The Deputy Speaker said that the Chair took this matter seriously, because there had been other occasions when telephone numbers had been announced so that people could call to complain, or publicity had been given to various causes. He said he was not prepared to rule in this case that the line between mentioning a charity and making a commercial statement had been crossed, but he reminded members to demonstrate discretion in the use they make of the time available to them for statements .

Decision of the Chair

The Deputy Speaker: The Chair is ready to at least say something on this subject. It is a matter of some concern to the Chair, not just because of the point raised today but because there have been other occasions when the Chair occupant has been in the House and has heard statements listing other members’ number so people can call and complain or giving various sorts of advertising for different causes. They are sometimes of interest and sometimes of great amusement but they are not always ones that are necessarily widely appreciated on every side.

Being conscious of that and being conscious of the freedom of speech that the Chair seeks to ensure for all honourable members in the House, I respect the submissions that have been made by all honourable members who have said something on this subject.

For the benefit of all honourable members, I will read from page 364 of Marleau [and] Montpetit. It states:

The Speaker has also cautioned members not to use this period to make defamatory comments about non-members, nor to use the verbatim remarks of a private citizen as a statement, nor to make statements of a commercial nature.

Whether we have stepped beyond a charity, to commercial in this case, I am not prepared to rule. I would caution members to exercise discretion in their use of the time they have. It is a one minute statement. There are guidelines. If honourable members feel uncertain about the guidelines I urge them to read chapter 10 of Marleau [and] Montpetit and conduct themselves accordingly.

P0310-e

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2000-04-14