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House Hansard - 161

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 15, 2023 02:00PM
Context: House Hansard - 161 - Feb/15/23
The Speaker
  • Feb/15/23 2:21:54 p.m.
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While I have members' attention, the Chair would like to make a statement regarding decorum in the House. I would like to thank the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry for having raised his concerns on Friday, February 10. His point of order, and the subsequent intervention from the member for New Westminster—Burnaby, provides the Chair with an opportunity to reiterate our rules in regard to members standing while another member has the floor to speak. Proceedings in the House are to be conducted in a respectful and civil manner. This includes members addressing their remarks to the Chair and resuming their seats when the Chair rises. The long-standing wording of Standing Order 17 states that, “every member desiring to speak is to rise in his or her place....” If the requirement to speak from one’s seat is currently suspended, members remain bound by the principle that they must stand to be recognized. Accordingly, members must briefly rise from their seat to indicate they want to take part in debate, make statements or ask questions. While there is the practice of party whips submitting speaking lists to assist the Chair, the final authority on who is recognized to speak in the House is determined by the Chair. As stated in House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, at page 330, “Various conventions and informal arrangements exist to encourage the participation of all parties in debate; nevertheless, the decision as to who may speak is ultimately the Speaker's.” Therefore, it is still expected that members rise to indicate that they wish to take the floor. Standing too soon to be recognized or at the same moment as another member, or not standing at all to be recognized, may create practical challenges, including delays and confusion. To this end, it is the view of the Chair that rising in their place for a few seconds is all that is needed for a member to, as the expression states, “catch the Speaker’s eye”. Finally, when the Chair has then recognized a particular member, all other members should take their seats. I thank the members for their attention and co-operation.
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Context: House Hansard - 161 - Feb/15/23
Mr. Corey Tochor (Saskatoon—University, CPC)
  • Feb/15/23 4:05:34 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the third report of the Standing Committee on Science and Research, entitled “Small Modular Nuclear Reactors”. Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report.
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