66 
THE PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES. 
to file an affidavit that except through his agent he has not 
made any payment for the purposes of his election beyond 
his personal expenses and that he has not been guilty of any 
corrupt practices™. 
5. QUORUM. 
In Quebec and Ontario the same rule prevails as in the 
Dominion House of Commons, and therefore 20 members 
are requisite to constitute a quorum : in Manitoba a majority 
of members is necessary; and in British Columbia the number 
fixed is 9 including the Speaker? 
6. TuE SPEAKER. 
Appoipt- 
ment of 
Speaker. 
By the British North America Act 1867, s. 87, the 
election of Speaker in the provinces of Quebec and 
Ontario originally and on vacancies, the duties of the 
Speaker, and the procedure in case of absence of the Speaker, 
are governed by the rules that relate to the Speaker of the 
House of Commons. These rules® have practically been 
adopted by all the Provincial Assemblies. 
Power is given to the Speaker to call on any member 
to take the chair during a temporary absence, and if the 
Speaker be not present on any day the Assembly elects a 
member as Speaker for the day. 
7 PRIVILEGES. 
The British North America Act 1867, did not expressly 
confer any privileges on the Provincial Legislatures, nor did it 
in express terms enable such Legislatures to define their 
privileges. 
1 0, R. S. 1887, c. 11, 8. 15. 
2 B, N.A. A. 5s 87. 0.R. 8.1887, c. 11, 8. 56. Man. 44 Vic, ¢.12, s. 4. 
B. C. Con. Stat. 1877, c. 42, s. 39. 3 See post, ¢. 12. 
4 See 0. R. 8. 1887, c. 11, 8s. 20—36; Q. 49 & 50 Vie, c. 97,8. 7; N. B. 
C.S.c. 6. C.S. Man. c. 5,8. 4. B. C. Con. Stat. 1877, c. 42, ss. 338, 85.