Privilege / Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous; committees; intimidation of witnesses

Journals p. 767

Debates p. 8883

Background

When the House met, Mr. Baldwin (Peace River) rose on a question of privilege to complain of the actions taken by Mr. Macdonald (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources) concerning the appearance of department officials before the Standing Committee on National Resources and Public Works. According to him, the Minister had asserted the right of executive privilege to control and direct the testimony of a   particular official. Mr. Baldwin claimed such a policy would prevent the committee from doing its work. Consequently, he proposed to move a motion to exclude the Minister from committee hearings when such witnesses were being examined unless he desisted in interfering with the testimony of the department officials. The Speaker, without allowing any further comment, made his ruling immediately.

Issue

Can the Member's complaint and proposed motion concerning committee proceedings be considered by the House as a question of privilege?

Decision

There is not a prima facie case of privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"... difficulties which come up in committee, to the extent they are procedural difficulties, ought to be settled there rather than in the House". The Member's motion, which does not refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, is in the form of a substantive proposal and, as such, it is an ordinary motion which requires a 48-hour notice.