Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House.
On March 24, 1998, the honourable member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin) brought forward a matter of privilege concerning comments made by the First Minister (Mr. Filmon) on March 23 in Question Period about the honourable member for The Pas. I thank honourable members for their advice to the Chair on this matter of privilege.
Although he did not include it in the motion he moved, I think I should make reference to the issue raised by the honourable member for The Pas respecting comments he said the Premier apparently made on the Peter Warren radio program. Statements made by a member outside the House, according to Beauchesne Citation 31(3), may not be used as the basis for a question of privilege.
That leaves us with the words spoken by the First Minister on March 25. He said, according to the Hansard record ". . . rather than stir up discontent and conflict, he ought to get involved in attempting to ensure that the people of Cross Lake come to the table to complete the negotiations . . ."
In raising his matter of privilege, the honourable member for The Pas contended what the Premier had said in the House was that if the honourable member for The Pas "had not been inciting conflict in Cross Lake, the chief and council and members of Cross Lake would have been to the table to finish negotiating the terms and conditions of the Northern Flood and ready to be implemented."
Unfortunately, what appears to be in evidence are two interpretations of the words spoken by the Premier. Based on what appears in Hansard, the honourable member for The Pas (Mr. Lathlin) has not made a prima facie case for a matter of privilege. The member may have had a case for imputation of unworthy motives, but that should have been raised as a point of order.
I would encourage the First Minister (Mr. Filmon), when answering questions, to select his words carefully and to refrain from provoking debate.
Mr. Steve Ashton (Opposition House Leader): Madam Speaker, I challenge the ruling.
Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair has been challenged.
Some Honourable Members: Yea.
Madam Speaker: All those opposed, please say nay.
Some Honourable Members: Nay.
Madam Speaker: In my opinion, the Yeas have it.
* (1520)
Mr. Ashton: Yeas and Nays, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker: A recorded vote has been requested. Call in the members.
The question before the House is shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained.
A RECORDED VOTE was taken, the result being as follows:
Cummings, Derkach, Downey, Driedger, Dyck, Enns, Faurschou, Filmon, Gaudry, Gilleshammer, Helwer, Laurendeau, McAlpine, McCrae, McIntosh, Mitchelson, Newman, Penner, Pitura, Praznik, Radcliffe, Reimer, Render, Rocan, Sveinson, Toews, Tweed, Vodrey.
Ashton, Barrett, Chomiak, Dewar, Doer, Evans (Brandon East), Evans (Interlake), Friesen, Hickes, Jennissen, Lathlin, Mackintosh, Maloway, Martindale, Mihychuk, Reid, Robinson, Sale, Santos, Struthers, Wowchuk.
Mr. Clerk (William Remnant): Yeas 28; Nays, 21.
Madam Speaker: The ruling of the Chair is accordingly sustained.