Rules of Debate / Unparliamentary Language

Unparliamentary language

Debates pp. 4468-9

Background

In response to a question put during Oral Questions by Mr. MacInnis (Cape Breton-East Richmond) regarding the payment of unemployment insurance benefits to certain people, Mr. Mackasey (Minister of Labour) replied that the matter did not come under his jurisdiction. Mr. MacInnis then asked why the Minister was being deliberately deceitful. The Speaker intervened to warn the Member against making accusations of this type. When debate resumed, Mr. MacInnis repeated that the Minister had deliberately deceived him, and the Speaker once again warned the Member against using such language.

Issue

Can a Member accuse a Minister of deliberate deception?

Decision

No. The expression "deliberately deceive" has never been accepted as parliamentary language.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"Even if a Member feels very strongly about a matter ... he has no right to violate the rules of the House, which command Members not to accuse another Member of the House of deliberately deceiving [them] ... In 100 years of parliamentary history that has never been accepted as a parliamentary term." The Member making the accusation can always suggest that a Member has misled a fellow Member or the House. If the same words are repeated, the Chair will have to take the same stand and ask for withdrawal, apology or rectification.

References

Debates, March 22, 1971, pp. 4467-9.