Rules of Debate - Order and Decorum / Miscellaneous

Committee proceedings, discussion of not permitted until a report is received

Debates pp. 3962-3

Background

Following Question Period on May 23, 1984, Mr. Dick (Lanark—Renfrew—Carleton) rose on a matter of House business. He asked Mr. Pinard (President of the Privy Council) whether or not Mr. Chretien (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources) would be appearing before the committee to answer questions about the estimates of his Department which were to be reported back to the House shortly. The presence or absence of the Minister of Finance at the committee meeting would determine whether or not a meeting took place the next day. Mr. McGrath (St. John's East) argued that if the Minister failed to appear, the House would be denied the right to examine completely the estimates for his Department and Parliament would be denied one of its most important functions. Following several exchanges with Mr. Dick, the Speaker gave his ruling.

Issue

Should proceedings in committees be brought to the attention of the House if the committee has not reported to the House?

Decision

No. "The Chair can hardly be aware of what is taking place in a committee without a report from the committee."

Reasons given by the Speaker

The matter could be raised during Question Period or during the weekly question on House business. Committees must resolve problems regarding witnesses themselves and it is not normal to settle procedure of committee in the House. "If and when a report is received from the committee - and presumably that report would be debated - there would be an opportunity for Hon. Members to express their views."