4th-36th Vol. 51B-Point of Order

Mr. Doug Martindale (Deputy Opposition House Leader): I would like to draw your attention to our Rule 10.(2) which says: "No member shall enter or leave the House during the stating of the question."

This morning, during a division on a motion in the Committee of Supply, the member for Emerson (Mr. Penner) was seen entering the Chamber after the doors were closed and the division sign was clearly seen on the door. Either the doors were not locked, and the member entered regardless knowing that he was not supposed to, or someone ordered that the door be opened and the member entered, both of which are improper. I would like to ask you to make a ruling and inform the House as to any action that may be taken. Thank you.

Madam Speaker: The honourable government House leader, on the same point of order.

Hon. James McCrae (Government House Leader): On the same point of order. As I understand the honourable member, he is telling us that the honourable member for Emerson entered the Chamber during the stating of the question. That may well be a subject for review; however, it is my understanding and the Clerk's record would probably bear me out that the honourable member did not vote.

I take it that is not the suggestion the honourable member for Burrows is making, in which case we may be dealing with a rather minor matter, in which case it can be probably dealt with in appropriate fashion.

Madam Speaker: The honourable Leader of the official opposition, on the same point of order.

Mr. Gary Doer (Leader of the Opposition): Yes, on the same point of order. We do not believe it is a minor matter when you have a rule about the process under which you can vote and under which you cannot vote. If the rule is that the doors are locked and no member enters after the vote is put, it is a serious matter if that rule is breached, and that is the issue before the Speaker. We want the Speaker to investigate this matter and rule accordingly.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Inkster, on the same point of order.

Mr. Kevin Lamoureux (Inkster): Madam Speaker, actually there is some relevancy to it. There is another problem, in terms of voting, and that is, for independence, they should at the very least be notified of the vote in order to at least allow us the opportunity, because quite often members of the official opposition or government members have constituency events in which they might not necessarily be in the building to hear the bell, yet they are provided a courtesy of a call to let them know about a vote.

It is something, Madam Speaker, given that you are taking something of some relevance to it, possibly as notice for consideration, I would suggest to you that this is also something that should be taken into consideration.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for St. Norbert, on the same point of order.

Mr. Marcel Laurendeau (St. Norbert): Madam Speaker, on the same point of order. It might be, I would be seeking advice, but I do believe that the matter did occur during Committee of the Whole, and all matters that occur within that committee should be taken care of at that committee stage, not within the House as a whole.

Madam Speaker: The honourable member for Crescentwood, on the same point of order.

Mr. Tim Sale (Crescentwood): Madam Speaker, on the same point of order. I simply want to put on the record that the sign was clearly visible to members on this side of the House when the member walked through the division sign that was hanging clearly on the door, and we could see it when the door was opened.

Madam Speaker: I thank all honourable members for their advice. As this is the first opportunity that I have had any input on this issue, I definitely will take the matter under advisement and report back to the House.