Selected Decisions of Speaker John Fraser 1986 - 1994
Rules of Debate / Order of Speakers
Motion that a Member be now heard; receivability; Minister previously recognized on a question of privilege
Debates, p. 1003
Context
At the beginning of the sitting on April 27, 1989, the Speaker recognized the Hon. Michael Wilson (Minister of Finance) who was rising on a question of privilege. At the same time, the Rt. Hon. John Turner (Leader of the Opposition) sought the floor also on a question of privilege. As the Speaker noted, he had received six notices of questions of privilege arising out of a leak of budget documents. He indicated that he intended to hear them in the order in which the applications had been received, with that of the Minister of Finance first. Before the Minister of Finance could begin his remarks, Mr. Jean-Robert Gauthier (Ottawa—Vanier) rose on a point of order to attempt to move "That the Rt. Hon. Leader of the Opposition be now heard."[1] The Speaker ruled immediately. The ruling is reproduced in extenso below.
Decision of the Chair
Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Ottawa—Vanier has moved a traditional motion that another honourable Member be now heard… In my view, having set out the fact that we have questions of privilege here which take precedence over other things, I think I am bound to proceed as I indicated I would. The honourable Minister of Finance.
F0703-e
34-2
1989-04-27
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