Privilege / Miscellaneous

Collective bargaining for House employees appeal by Board of Internal Economy to Federal Court

Debates pp. 3234-5

Background

Mr. Allmand (Notre-Dame-de-Grace—Lachine East) rose on a question of privilege regarding the Board of Internal Economy's intention to appeal to the Federal Court the April 9, 1984, decision of the Canada Labour Relations Board. The decision had stated that employees of the House of Commons had the right to collective bargaining under the Canada Labour Code. He argued that the decision of the Canada Labour Relations Board affected all Members of the House and that the decision of the Board of Internal Economy to appeal the ruling without consulting all Members of the House was a breach of privilege. Mr. Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Is the decision of the Board of Internal Economy to appeal the ruling of the Canada Labour Relations Board without consulting all Members of the House and without referring the matter to them for decision a prima facie question of privilege?

Decision

No. It is not a prima facie question of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The matter is sub judice. Therefore the Chair has no option but to rule that there is no prima facie question of privilege.