The "Daily Proceedings of the House", a generic term not found in the Standing Orders, includes three events that take place daily in the House, each of which is covered separately in the Standing Orders. These three events are "Prayers", "Statements by Members Pursuant to Standing Order 31", and "Oral Questions". (See Appendices for the complete daily order of business.)
6.(a) Prayers and National Anthem
At the start of the day's sitting, the Speaker reads Prayers, after which the Speaker orders that the doors be opened to allow the public to enter the Galleries; the daily business then commences. Housekeeping or other in camera matters, however, may be discussed before the public is admitted. The custom of reciting a prayer at the beginning of each sitting of the House began in 1877, following the recommendation of a Special Committee appointed to consider the matter. The Committee's report suggested that the prayer be read before the doors were opened, in keeping with the practice of the Senate and the British House, and included a suitable prayer which was used until 1994.
The sectarian nature of the original prayer and its references to the Sovereign were the source of some discussion for years after its adoption, as was the tradition of reading it behind closed doors. Over the years, various committees on reform of the House suggested alternatives to the practice, including a revised prayer, admission of the public and even that representatives of various faiths lead the House in prayer each day. In 1994, the House adopted a new, much shorter prayer, which is more reflective of the multicultural and multifaith nature of Canada.
In 1995, the House concurred in a report of the Procedure and House Affairs Committee which recommended that the Members sing the national anthem at the beginning of each Wednesday sitting. This new practice was started on November 22, 1995.
6.(b) Statements by Members Pursuant to Standing Order 31 Standing Order 31 reads:
"A Member may be recognized, under the provisions of Standing Order 30(5), to make a statement for not more than one minute. The Speaker may order a Member to resume his or her seat if, in the opinion of the Speaker, improper use is made of this Standing Order." Shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. on Friday, the Speaker calls "Statements by Members". Until 15 minutes past the hour, Members recognized by the Speaker may speak on matters of their own choosing for up to one minute. If a Member continues to speak past the allotted time, the Speaker interrupts to inform the Member that the time has expired. At the end of the period, the Speaker calls "Oral Questions".
During "Statements by Members" the following general guidelines apply, subject to the Speaker's discretion: if the proceedings start promptly at 2:00 p.m. or 11:00 a.m., usually 15 Members will speak; however, if the proceedings are delayed, the 15-minute period is reduced accordingly and may be eliminated entirely for that sitting. The opportunity to speak is allocated equally to private Members of all parties. Members may speak on any matter of concern, and not necessarily on urgent matters only. The Speaker may rule out of order any personal attacks, attempts to move a motion by unanimous consent, congratulatory messages, recitations of poetry, or clearly frivolous issues.
6.(c) Oral Questions
"Oral Questions" is a part of all regular sittings, following "Statements by Members", and lasts 45 minutes pursuant to Standing Order 30(5): "Not later than 2:15 o'clock p.m., or 11:15 o'clock a.m., as the case may be, oral questions shall be taken up."
The Standing Orders specify that questions are to be addressed to Ministers and are expected to involve matters of urgency, although on occasion, questions seeking information about their respective committees are allowed to be put to Committee Chairmen who are not Ministers. In addition, questions may be directed to a member of the Board of Internal Economy.
Among the many pronouncements and observations on the conduct of the oral Question Period, some guidelines were adopted by the House in 1964 and others set out by the Chair in 1975. On February 24, 1986, the Speaker indicated that certain traditional guidelines would remain in force, while others had changed with practice over time, and that the appropriate guidelines for Question Period ought to be respected for the realization of the principal objective: "the seeking of information from the Government and calling the Government to account for its actions". These guidelines leave the Speaker discretion in allowing a question and even wider latitude with regard to supplementaries. For several years, the Speaker has generally interrupted if the question is too long or if the length or technical nature of the answer suggests that it would be better dealt with as a question on the Order Paper.
In rising during Question Period, a Member should pose a question, be brief, seek information, and address the question to an important matter of some urgency that is within the administrative responsibility of the Government or the Minister addressed. A question should not be a statement, representation, argument, or an expression of opinion; be hypothetical; seek an opinion, either legal or otherwise; suggest the answer; address a Minister's former portfolio or any other presumed responsibility apart from the portfolio he or she currently holds; have been previously answered; be on a matter that is sub judice; or anticipate the Orders of the Day.
In response to a question, Ministers may answer, defer an answer, take the question as notice, explain briefly why they cannot give an answer at that time, or say nothing. Supplementary questions should contain no preamble or statement, be precise and be presented directly and immediately to the Minister.
Members who consider the answers they receive unsatisfactory may raise the questions again during the adjournment debate, providing they give written notice to the Table not later than one hour following Question Period on the day the question was raised. If the matter has not been raised on or before the forty-fifth sitting day following the notice, it is deemed withdrawn.
