Speaker rules on premier’s absences

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This article was published 20/04/2022 (883 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson’s repeated absences from question period did not violate the rights of elected officials, Speaker Myrna Driedger ruled Thursday.

NDP house leader Nahanni Fontaine claimed the premier violated the rights and privileges of members by missing question period on three occasions. She raised it as a matter of privilege on April 7 and asked the Speaker to rule on it.

Stefanson missed question period on March 8, 23, April 6, twice she attended news conferences scheduled at the same time and once because she was unwell.

The premier missed question period again on Tuesday to announce funding for the Toba Centre for Children and Youth. 

Driedger said it was unclear whether the matter was raised at the earliest opportunity — which is necessary to determine a case of privilege — as Fontaine did not state which dates the premier was absent from question period in her complaint.

The Speaker also referenced multiple sources stating the failure of a minister to answer a question cannot be raised as a question of privilege, though it could be a grievance in a committee setting. The House of Commons Procedure and Practice includes exemptions for requirements to be in attendance when the house is sitting for “parliamentary activities, or functions, or on public or official business,” Driedger said.

She added that during question period, questions are technically put to the government as a whole and it is the prerogative of the government to decide which minister will answer.

“A lack of participation in oral questions by the first minister or any minister is not a violation of the privileges of the house, or of individual members,” Driedger said.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca