Routine Proceedings / Petitions

Conditions for reading

Debates pp. 16258-9

Background

Following the presentation of petitions, Mr. Nielsen (Yukon) rose on a point of order to reiterate that obtaining unanimous consent is not the only way that a petition can be read. In his view, the Chair has the discretion to decide unilaterally whether a petition may be read in the House. The Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Has the Chair the discretion to decide whether a petition may be read?

Decision

No. The Chair does not have discretion in this case.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Under the Standing Orders, the Chair has no discretionary power to have petitions read, except in cases where a petition claimed some present personal grievance requiring an immediate remedy; then the matter contained therein may be brought into immediate discussion. In this case, however, the report said only that the petition was in order as to form. Therefore the petition is deemed to have been read and received, and it is not for the Speaker to determine that the petition should be read unless the House so desires and expresses that desire by unanimous consent.

Sources cited

Standing Order 67(7).

Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 213, cc. 694-5.