Privilege / Demonstrations on Parliament Hill

Regulations restricting

Debates p. 4346

Background

On May 2, 1985, Mr. Cassidy (Ottawa Centre) rose on a question of privilege to protest recently adopted regulations which, he argued, would limit the right of the public to demonstrate on Parliament Hill. He claimed that the regulations were being applied in a discriminatory fashion with some forms of demonstration being permitted while others were not. Mr. La Salle (Minister of Public Works) rose to clarify the new regulations, and the Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Do the regulations governing public access to Parliament Hill constitute a breach of parliamentary privilege?

Decision

No. There is no prima facie question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Member has presented no evidence that the privileges of Members of the House have been breached or that access to a Member has been prevented. The Member and the Minister disagree on whether citizens' privileges have been breached.

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References

Debates, May 1, 1985, p. 4296; May 2, 1985, pp. 4344-6.