Prime minister can limit free speech in Parliament in narrow circumstances, Supreme Court rules
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled 8-1 that a prime minister with a majority government can impose narrow limits on the free speech of MPs and senators in certain circumstances, such as national security. The decision upheld the 2017 National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians Act, which restricts committee members from disclosing classified information without the prime minister's authorization. While the majority found the restriction to be a limited and acceptable limitation on parliamentary privilege, Justice Suzanne Côté dissented, calling it unprecedented and overly broad.
- ▪The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that limited restrictions on parliamentary free speech are constitutional.
- ▪The case centered on the 2017 law creating a security committee with classified access, whose members cannot disclose information without the prime minister’s approval.
- ▪Professor Ryan Alford challenged the law, winning at the Ontario Superior Court but ultimately losing at the Supreme Court.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
ShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountThe Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Friday that a prime minister with a majority government in Parliament can curtail the free speech of MPs and senators in narrow circumstances.The 8-1 decision focused on a constitutional challenge launched eight years ago in the lower courts by one Lakehead University law professor.How one law professor challenged the limits of a prime minister’s power at the Supreme CourtIn 2017, the federal government created a special committee of Parliamentarians with top-secret clearance to review national security and intelligence operations. It reports to the prime minister.
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