Privilege / Impeding the House

Premature release of estimates

Debates p. 7883

Background

On February 25, Mr. Baker (Nepean—Carleton) rose on a question of privilege to complain of the fact that a dispatch transmitted by the Canadian Press throughout the country revealed the content of the estimates before they had been tabled in the House. According to Mr. Baker, this constituted a contempt of Parliament and he said that he was prepared to move a motion referring the matter to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections. After hearing comments from Members during two consecutive sittings, the Speaker took the matter under consideration and ruled a few days later.

Issue

Does the premature disclosure of the content of the estimates following a press lock-up constitute a question of privilege?

Decision

No. There is no prima facie case of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Chair does not have the duty to uphold the principle of cabinet secrecy, nor does it sit in judgment upon the manner in which Ministers fulfil their responsibilities, including the prevention of leaks during press lock-ups. Moreover, the definition of parliamentary privilege has not been invoked in the arguments in support of the question.

Sources cited

Debates, December 12, 1979, pp. 2287-8.

May, 19th ed., pp. 73-115, 136-77.

United Kingdom, House of Commons, Debates, November 17, 1947, p. 1467.

References

Debates, February 25, 1981, pp. 7684-9; February 26, 1981, pp. 7704-13.