Madam Speaker: I have a ruling for the House.
I am ruling on a point of order I took under advisement on May 5, 1998. The point of order was raised by the honourable Minister of Education (Mrs. McIntosh), who stated that she had not risen to answer a question because there was no question posed. At the time, I indicated to the House that I had not heard a question but that I would review Hansard.
Having reviewed Hansard, I find that the minister was indeed correct. The honourable member for St. James (Ms. Mihychuk) had not put a complete question. However, what the minister raised was an explanation of her action; it was not a point of order. I would remind the minister, and all members of the House, that a point of order is a question raised with the view of calling attention to any departure from the standing orders or the customary modes of proceeding in debate or in the conduct of legislative business. If a point of order consists of putting a question to the member speaking, if it is a mere interruption, or if it is defective for other reasons, the Speaker will rule it out.
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