Rules of Debate - Order and Decorum / Tabling of Documents

November 14, 1984

Debates pp. 219-20

On November 13, 1984, Mr. Deans (Hamilton Mountain) raised a point of order concerning an exchange which had taken place during that day's Question Period. Mr. Broadbent (Oshawa) had asked a question about a Finance Department study which was referred to in a newspaper article. In reply, Mr. Wilson (Minister of Finance) acknowledged the existence of the document, a memorandum, and referred in general terms to its contents. Mr. Deans argued that since the Minister had cited the document in question in an attempt to influence debate, he was obliged to table it. After hearing further argument, the Speaker reserved his decision.

Issue

Is a Minister obliged to table a document referred to in responding to an oral question?

Decision

No. The Minister need not table it unless he chooses to do so.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Minister may have referred to or paraphrased the document, but he did not quote from it. A document referred to need not be tabled unless it is quoted from or specifically used to influence debate. The use of a document to supply information in response to a question cannot be construed as an attempt to influence debate. This view accords with a ruling given by Speaker Jerome in 1976.