The Daily Program / Oral Questions

Government appointments; administrative responsibilities of the Government

February 12, 1992

Debates, p. 6860

On February 11, 1992, during Oral Question Period, Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier (Ottawa—Vanier) questioned the Government about its intentions in the wake of criticisms of bilingualism in the federal Public Service expressed by Mr. John Crispo (appointed by the Government to the CBC’s Board of Governors) during a radio interview.^[1] The Speaker ruled that the question did not fall within the Government’s Administrative Responsibilities. Later on in the course of the sitting, Mr. Gauthier rose on a question of privilege, alleging that his rights had been violated during Oral Question Period. Basing himself on Beauchesne Fifth Edition, Citation 359, which sets out the principles for finding a question to be in order or not, Mr. Gauthier argued that his question was in order because it concerned an individual appointed by the Government and because the incidents at issue came within the Government’s administrative competence. A discussion ensued.^[2] After hearing from a number of Members, the Speaker took the matter under advisement, handing down his ruling on the following day. It is reproduced in full below.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: I promised yesterday that I would return with respect to a question which was put by the honourable Member for Ottawa—Vanier yesterday, a question on a subject that is of course very important to all Members of this House.

I think honourable Members will remember that yesterday I said there were really two issues. One is whether the question as put was in or out of order. The second is whether the subject matter of the question can be pursued in the Chamber.

I think I was correct in clearly pointing out to the House that there were two issues.

The issue I have to decide is whether the question as put was within the rules. I should say to honourable Members that the substance of the issue concerned comments made by a Canadian who was appointed to a board by the Government of Canada relating to the question of bilingualism.

I have looked very carefully at the question as put which was:

Will the Prime Minister call Mr. Crispo, tell him that the impression he left with his comments is wrong, dead wrong, absolutely wrong? Will he ask Mr. Crispo to get his facts straight or keep his mouth shut?

…I must respond to this issue in a purely procedural manner. My judgment yesterday was that it is out of order as asked; it is not seeking information.

I still maintain that as asked it is not within the administrative competence of the Government.

Having said that, as I think all honourable Members conceded yesterday, the issue is of importance. The honourable Government House Leader (Hon. Harvie Andre) said:

…I can say on behalf of the Government with assurance that Mr. Crispo does not speak for the Government of Canada.

Now at that point we had some discussion as to the question and perhaps we were also getting on to some discussion of the issue itself. I have to say that I remain with my ruling of yesterday. I am also indicating to honourable Members that there are probably other ways to pursue the issue in Question Period.

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1992-02-12