Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House. Order, please.
On April 7, 1998, the honourable member for Brandon East (Mr. Leonard Evans) rose on a point of order respecting the reading of members' statements. The government House leader made some input on the point of order as well, and I took the matter under advisement.
The honourable member for Brandon East suggested that reading verbatim of speeches was not in order, although the use of notes was acceptable. He noted that many members were reading statements as opposed to giving speeches from notes. The government House leader, in essence, concurred that the practice has tended toward more reading of speeches. He suggested that reading of questions and of statements was a reality of parliaments in the '90s.
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In considering the matter, I note that our Rule 33 prohibits with certain exceptions the reading of speeches during a debate. A member's statement, however, is not a debate, so it does not fall within the ambit of Rule 33. I would make the observation that ministerial statements are made from a prepared text. I would also make the observation that members' statements are restricted to a very short period of time--two minutes.
I have had a survey done of practices in other Canadian jurisdictions. Of the 11 Houses which responded, 10 allow members to read from a prepared text during members' statements. The 11th House does not have members' statements. When members' statements were considered by the Rules committee the issue of whether they could be read was not discussed by the committee. I would note that it seems to have become the practice in the House for members to read their statements.
Because there is no specific rule for the Chair to interpret, and because there was no position expressed by the Rules committee in its consideration of members' statements, it is difficult for the Chair to make a ruling.
I would note that in the past, on issues like whether members had to stand to ask questions in Committee of Supply meeting in the Chamber, that matter was decided by putting the issue to the House. I am, therefore, suggesting that a similar approach be taken with respect to the matter raised by the honourable member for Brandon East. If the House is willing to deal with the matter immediately, I would be prepared to put a question to the House. If there is a desire to have some time to consider the matter further, I would be prepared to put the question to the House at a later time, and I also suggest if there are concerns that perhaps the House leaders could arrange a meeting and discuss this if there is no will today to make an immediate decision.
What is the will of the House?
Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, this matter appears to me to be an excellent candidate for some discussion at some future time.
Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Yes, although we would concur with the fine assessment of the member for Brandon East (Mr. Leonard Evans) in terms of having the ability to debate without somebody writing your speech, we would certainly be willing to discuss the sentiments of the member for Brandon East at the Rules committee or at another appropriate committee.
Madam Speaker: I thank the honourable members for their advice.