Privilege / Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous; substantive motion

Journals pp. 292-3

Debates pp. 2698-700

Background

Early in the sitting, Mr. Lambert (Edmonton West) rose on a question of privilege and proposed a motion to appoint a special committee to examine and report on the terms of reference of an Order in Council which had been tabled the day before. The specific Order in Council sought to authorize a judicial inquiry into the circumstances of the Munsinger case and the related statements made by Ministers and Members. Mr. Lambert's motion stipulated that the specific committee be composed of seven Members and that it report to the House not later than 2:30 p.m., March 17. The Speaker invited comments from Members before ruling.

Issue

Can a motion on a question of privilege propose to set up a special committee for a specific purpose?

Decision

No. Such a motion cannot be considered under the guise of a question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Rules and practices require that a committee be appointed by means of a substantive motion with notice. The Chair has no authority to waive such a rule nor can it alter the substance of a motion on its own initiative. The present motion is irregular and cannot be accepted at this time.

Sources cited

Standing Order 41.

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 94-7, cc. 104-5; p. 102, c. 113; p. 167, c. 199.

May, 17th ed., p. 134.

References

Debates, March 14, 1966, p. 2613; March 15, 1966, pp. 2686-98.