Routine Proceedings / Statements by Ministers

Permissive rule

Debates pp. 14755-6

Background

During Routine Proceedings, Mr. Nielsen (Yukon) rose on a point of order to argue that, according to custom and precedent, a statement announcing changes to the Cabinet should have been made in the House. He also accused the Government of an affront to the House and its Members in light of the fact that an announcement of a change in policy regarding the Crowsnest rate was made by Mr. Pepin (Minister of Transport) outside the House. After hearing Members' comments, the Speaker ruled.

Issue

Must a Cabinet shuffle or a change in Government policy be announced in the House by way of a ministerial statement?

Decision

No. Ministers are not obliged to make statements in the House.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The provision in our Standing Orders that deals with statements by Ministers is permissive, not mandatory. It says very clearly that a Minister may make a statement on a matter of policy or any other subject he may find appropriate. The Speaker of the House cannot oblige Ministers to make a statement in the House. It is up to the Minister to decide whether he wants to make a statement in the House or prefers to make an announcement outside the House.

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 87, c. 264.

Journals, November 23, 1976, pp. 158-9

References

Debates, February 4, 1982, pp. 14652-4; February 5, 1982, pp. 14707‑9; February 8, 1982, pp. 14752-6.