Rules of Debate / Tabling of Documents

Reference to a letter without quoting from it

Debates pp. 101-2

Background

On April 16, during Routine Proceedings, Miss MacDonald (Kingston and the Islands) rose on a question of privilege to demand that Mr. Trudeau (Prime Minister) table a letter regarding the Olympic Games in Moscow which he sent to President Carter of the United States and to which he referred during Question Period on April 15. In the absence of the Prime Minister, the Speaker took the matter under consideration and ruled the next day.

Issue

Must a Minister table a letter to which he referred in the House without however quoting from it?

Decision

No. He is not required to table it. [There is no prima facie question of privilege.]

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Prime Minister may table the letter if he wishes, but there is no obligation upon him to do so because it involves a letter which he did not actually quote but to which he merely referred.

Sources cited

Debates, November 16, 1971, p. 9599.

References

Debates, April 16, 1980, pp. 61-3, 72.