1994 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 35th Parliament
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The printed version remains the official version.
No. 91
OF THE
Friday, June 17, 1994
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Chisholm.
The Speaker made the following statement:
Honourable Members:
Honourable Members will be aware that the position of Parliamentary Secretary is a relatively new one in our jurisdiction and it appears that the role of Parliamentary Secretaries in relation to their status during Question Period has never been addressed by previous Speakers in this House. No considered opinion has been expressed in this regard, as a result of a Point of Order having been raised, or otherwise.
However, it has been brought to the attention of the Chair that on many past occasions questions have been directed by Parliamentary Secretaries to Cabinet Ministers, and accordingly it may be fairly concluded that the practice of the House in this regard has thereby been established.
Accordingly, it is the intention of the Chair to recognize this practice, notwithstanding that in other jurisdictions Parliamentary Secretaries are not permitted to ask questions of their own Ministers. The issues involved have been well canvassed in two rulings: one in Saskatchewan by Mr. Speaker Tusa (Saskatchewan Journals, August 6, 1987), and the other by Mr. Speaker Jerome (Ottawa Journals, November 5, 1974, p. 1059).
As your Speaker, I feel duty bound to follow the established practices of this House. If practices respecting House procedure are to be altered or revised, it is obvious to me that this should be at the initiative of the House itself.
My statement in this connection, made on Wednesday last, was in error and the Chair offers its apology to all Members.
Emery Barnes, Speaker
The Speaker delivered his reserved opinion as follows:
Honourable Members:
On Wednesday last, the Honourable Member for West Vancouver-Garibaldi sought to move adjournment of the House under Standing Order 35, to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the riot which occurred in Vancouver after the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
While the matter raised by the Member is indeed a serious one, prior to the Member raising the matter, the Attorney General stated to the House that the Police Commission had been requested to undertake an inquiry into the matter which would come under the normal administrative responsibility of that Ministry.
I'm of the view that Standing Order 35 was never intended to provide a vehicle for interference in the normal administration of justice.
For these reasons the application cannot proceed.
Emery Barnes, Speaker
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order called for "Private Members' Statements."
By leave, Mr. Hurd tabled a petition.
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Employment and Investment).
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 12.32 p.m.
EMERY BARNES, Speaker
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Monday, June 20th
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