Rules of Debate / Tabling of Documents

Tabling of documents

 Journals p. 922

Debates p. 9599

Background

During Oral Questions, Mr. Sharp (Acting Prime Minister), in replying to a question from Mr. Stanfield (Leader of the Opposition), referred to a confidential Cabinet document, and stated that a particular phrase, "The Gray report", was not to be found in it. Shortly thereafter Mr. Nielsen (Yukon) rose on a point of order to request that the document be tabled on the grounds that, in referring to the contents of the document, the Minister had, in effect, quoted from it.

Issue

Must a Minister table a document to which he or she has referred?

Decision

No. There is no need to table the document in this case.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The rule respecting tabling of documents has "to be interpreted rather strictly…. If a document has been actually cited or quoted in debate by a Minister of the Crown, it has to be tabled. If only reference is made to it, ... there can be no obligation to table it."

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 134-5, c. 159(3).

Bourinot, 4th ed., p. 337.

References

Debates, November 16, 1971, pp. 9594-9.