West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP John Weston was one of 10 MPs in Ottawa who recently opposed the iron grip held by government parties over who can say what in Parliament.
"In my mind this is a historic moment in our parliament," Weston told the North Shore News. "The principal at stake was who has the authority to administer members' statements in the house: the speaker or the party whips on behalf of the party leaders?"
House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer announced on Tuesday that MPs are not constrained by prepared caucus lists, which name who will speak to the chamber.
Several MPs have voiced concerns over the potential muzzling of backbenchers excluded from the lists.
However, Scheer made the decision that he as Speaker of the House has final say, and MPs can catch his eye if they wish to speak and he will allow them to do so.
The issue of any MP being free to speak stems from B.C. Conservative MP Mark Warawa being silenced when he wanted the Commons to vote on a motion about sex-selective abortions.
Weston and other MPs argued for Warawa's right to speak to the Commons even if the subject was considered controversial or not in line with what the party leaders wanted to speak on.
"Legislators always have the freedom to speak when they feel it's necessary," Weston said.
Scheer's decision makes it clear that MPs can speak their minds if they wish to do so, independent of their party.
"The price of liberty is eternal vigilance," Weston said.
However, a Liberal motion to enhance all MPs' freedom of speech in the Commons was defeated on Thursday by a failed vote of 150 to 96.
Liberals put forward that if any MP wishes to make statements that the Speaker follow an alphabetical list rather than the prepared party lists.
The Canadian Press has reported none of the Tories who lobbied for an MPs right to speak voted in favour of the Liberal motion.
