Routine Proceedings / Petitions

November 20, 1984

Debates pp. 412-3

On November 19, 1984, the Speaker informed the House that a petition presented by Mr. Cassidy (Ottawa Centre) on November 16, 1984, met the requirements of the Standing Orders as to form. However, he advised the House that there was some doubt about the acceptability of the petition since some of the signatures were of non-Canadian citizens not resident in Canada. The Speaker reserved his decision on the admissibility of the petition.

Issue

ls a petition containing signatures of both Canadians and non-resident foreigners admissible?

Decision

The petition can be received by unanimous consent.

Reasons given by the Speaker

In Canadian and British precedent there is no clear answer to the admissibility of a petition signed by both Canadian citizens and non-Canadians not resident in Canada. In October 1983 a petition signed exclusively by American citizens was ruled not receivable. Precedents on petitions relating to private bills indicate that petitions from foreigners have on occasion been received when the subject matter related to legislation or an area under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Parliament. So that the Canadian signatories to the present document not be denied their right to petition the House, and since this is the first time this issue has arisen in this Parliament, the Chair asked that the petition be received by unanimous consent. The Speaker suggested that the Standing Committee on Procedure and Organization consider the subject of presentation of petitions.