PRIVILEGES. 
59 
Columbia ?, and Nova Scotia? No Act on the subject, ex- 
cept one relating to the attendance of witnesses®, has been 
passed in New Brunswick. 
Freedom of speech. The privilege of freedom of speech pein 
is defined in the Quebec Act as follows— 
“No legislative councillor or member of the Legislative 
Assembly shall be liable to any action, arrest, or imprison- 
ment, or damages, by reason of any matter or thing brought 
by him by petition, bill, resolution, motion or otherwise 
before the House or by reason of anything said by him 
before such House.” 
The Ontario Act contains a similar provision ; whilst the 
British Columbia Act simply states that “no action at law 
or other proceeding shall be brought against any member 
of the Assembly for any words spoken by him in the 
Assembly.” 
Freedom from arrest. Freedom from arrest is restricted Poiton 
as in England to the members personally in civil matters. The arrest. 
duration of the privilege varies in the different provinces. In 
Ontario and Quebec it begins 20 days before the session opens 
and continues until 20 days after the session ends. In British 
Columbia the corresponding number of days is 40. In Manitoba, 
the privilege is restricted to the session. The privilege does 
not extend to offences specified in the Acts and committed 
by members, as for example taking bribes or disobeying 
the order of the House. 
Ezemption from serving on Juries. During the same Service on 
period that a member is exempt from arrest, all members, Felon. 
officers in the service of the legislature and all witnesses 
summoned to attend, are exempt from serving on juries in 
the province. The Quebec Act also exempts them from 
attending as witnesses. British Columbia exempts them 
only from serving as jurors. 
1 40 Vic, ¢, 42, ss, 7278. 2 N. 8. RB. 8. 1884, c. 3, 55. 20—40, 
3 N. B. 33 Vic. c. 33.