The Daily Program / Statements by Members

Guidelines: prohibition against personal attack on a Member

Debates, p. 15333

Context

On November 8, 1990, during Statements by Members, Mr. Jim Karygiannis (Scarborough—Agincourt) began to make certain comments about other Members. He was interrupted and called to order by the Speaker who informed him that the rules pertaining to Statements by Members were clear and that Members could not use this period to attack a Member.[1] Later in the sitting, Mr. Karygiannis rose on a point of order to seek clarification. In his remarks, he alluded to a statement made the week before by Mr. Guy Saint-Julien (Abitibi)[2] and implied that a personal attack had been made by Mr. Saint-Julien on a Member and he had not been called to order by the Chair.[3] The clarification provided by the Speaker is reproduced below.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: The honourable Member is asking for clarification. I can give the honourable Member clarification, and I shall.

On January 17, 1983, Madam Sauvé, then Speaker, touched on the question of what is appropriate comment in Statements by Members.

The honourable Member who has risen was stopped by me earlier today after I listened for a few minutes, or at least some seconds, and it became clear, at least I thought it was clear, that the honourable Member was making a personal attack on another honourable Member.

As a consequence, I had to stand and interrupt him.

On January 17, 1983, Madam Sauvé said this: “The time set aside for Members’ Statements should not be used to make personal attacks.” She went on and said: “It is clear that personal attacks are not considered to be matters that should be raised…”[4]

That is the rule that we have tried to follow in this House. It may well be that that rule has been transgressed, and I might have missed it.

I assure the honourable Member that I do listen carefully. If I erred in letting that rule be transgressed at some other time, then I very much regret it. I think that we must bear with the rule and I think that that is the general feeling of the House.

I thank the honourable Member for raising it. If he would like to discuss it further with me, of course he can see me in my chambers.

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1990-11-08

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[1] Debates, November 8, 1990, p. 15318.

[2] Debates, November 1, 1990, p. 14994.

[3] Debates, November 8, 1990, p. 15333.

[4] Debates, January 17, 1983, p. 21874.