Privilege / Private Members’ Business

June 9, 1986

Debates p. 14121

On June 9, 1986, Mr. Fulton (Skeena) rose on a question of privilege to complain that he had been unable to fulfil his duties as a Member because hi Private Members' bill had twice been dropped to the bottom of the order of precedence when it came forward on a Supply clay. He argued that this procedure discriminated against the individual Member whose item of business was thus affected. Mr. Hnatyshyn (President of the Privy Council) commented that there was no question of privilege since the Standing Orders stipulated that no Private Members' Business could be taken up on an allotted clay; however, there was a scheduling problem which the House Leaders were attempting to resolve. The Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Does the displacement of an item of Private Members' Business on an allotted day constitute a breach of privilege?

Decision

No. There is no prima facie question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Member's privileges were not breached since the Standing Orders provide for the suspension of Private Members' Business on Supply days. While the Member may have a grievance with regard to the rules, it is a problem which would best be resolved by consensus or by an agrement between the House Leaders.