Privilege / Impeding the House

Premature disclosure of budget provisions

Debates p. 24649

Background

At the beginning of the sitting, Mr. Nielsen (Leader of the Opposition) rose on a question of privilege alleging that, during the traditional photo opportunity session preceding the presentation of the budget, Mr. Lalonde (Minister of Finance) communicated to the media certain excerpts of his budget address. Mr. Nielsen said that he was prepared to move a motion referring the matter to a special committee. After hearing Members' comments, the Speaker ruled later in the sitting.

Issue

Can an alleged violation of budget secrecy constitute a question of privilege?

Decision

No. There is no prima fade case of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

According to the practice whereby the Minister of Finance presents his budget in the House before declaring it in any other public forum, budget secrecy is a political convention which does not come under parliamentary privilege. Moreover, parliamentary tradition provides for the use of a substantive motion if there are grounds to make direct accusations against holders of certain offices, including Ministers.

Sources cited

Debates, June 19, 1959, pp. 4929-32; July 24, 1975, pp. 7886-9; July 25, 1975, pp. 7946-8; November 18, 1981, p. 12898.

United Kingdom, House of Commons, Debates, May 5, 1936, p. 1551; November 17, 1947, p. 1467.

References

Debates, April 19, 1983, pp. 24609-24, 24635-9.