Privilege / Freedom from Molestation

Freedom from molestation

Debates pp. 1890-2

Background

On November 30, Mr. Sargeant (Selkirk—Interlake) rose on a question of privilege and demanded to know who had authorized the RCMP to request permission from the Speaker to search his office for copies of a leaked document. He went on to state that to have allowed such a search would adversely affect his privileges and the privileges of all Members.

Issue

Does the risk of a potential search of a Member's office constitute a question of privilege?

Decision

No. The mere possibility that a warrant might be issued for the search of a Member's office is not a question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Chair has taken the position that ''where no charge has been laid against a Member and there does not appear to be the investigation of an actual offence against him, but rather an investigation which may be part of another set of circumstances," the Speaker has exercised his discretion against the execution of the warrant in these premises in the office of a Member.