Privilege / Impeding a Member

Impeding a Member

Debates p. 7255

Background

When the House met on May 15, Mr. Macquarrie (Hillsborough) rose on a question of privilege to complain about the "barring" of Members from the Centre Block, where the House of Commons is located, by the RCMP during the visit of the Israeli Foreign Minister the previous day. While recognizing that there was cause for serious concern, Mr. Macquarrie did not move a motion to refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections in the hope that the appropriate authorities involved would make an investigation. The Speaker gave his assurance that he would look into the matter and report back to the House. As a caveat, however, he noted that the "parliamentary precincts have never been officially deemed to include the grounds surrounding [the] buildings".

Issue

Do Members have the right of free and unimpeded access to the Parliament buildings?

Decision

Yes, they have that right and privilege.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The right of Members to an unhindered access to the Parliament buildings is a time-honoured privilege. "This principle should be recognized even if there is some question as to the extension of the term 'parliamentary precincts', and in particular whether the jurisdiction of the Speaker . . . extends beyond the limits of the Parliament buildings themselves." Based on a report of the Sergeant-at-Arms, it is clear that the role of the RCMP was to keep people away from the main entrance during the actual arrival and departure of the Israeli Foreign Minister. Commons security personnel assisted in identifying Members and their staff and none was denied admission, though the process may have created a momentary delay.

References

Debates, May 15, 1970, p. 7007.