4th-36th Vol. 53-Speaker's Ruling

Speaker's Ruling

Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House.

On May 4, 1998, during Question Period, I took under advisement in order to review Hansard a point of order raised by the opposition House leader.

The point of order concerned an answer given by the honourable First Minister (Mr. Filmon) to a question asked by the honourable member for Osborne (Ms. McGifford). The point of order raised by the House leader for the official opposition alleged that the First Minister imputed unworthy motives to the honourable member for Osborne and that the comment should be withdrawn.

In the response to the question, the Premier said, "You see this leads to the confusion and the raw attempts for people to get involved for political purpose in this thing" and "We cannot just go running around and tilting at every possible new avenue in hopes that it will bring some positive political benefit to us."

I am ruling that there was not a point of order. However, I would caution the First Minister to choose his words with care, as in this instance they did create disorder.