iPads were introduced as a standard tool for briefing materials and Cabinet and committee meeting agenda packages at the outset of the 17th Assembly, in place of paper versions of the same documents. As noted earlier in this report, in February 2012 the House agreed to permit iPad use in the Chamber during Committee of the Whole proceedings.
The use of iPads for these purposes has allowed for a substantial reduction in the amount of paper used by Members and staff. It also increased convenience and ease of retrieving information as documents equivalent to several binders of paper can be stored on one device.
In considering whether the use of iPads should be permitted in formal session as well as Committee of the Whole proceedings, the committee held in mind a number of factors in addition to the advantages of increased convenience and reduced paper consumption.
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iPads could present a distraction during debate.
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The use of iPads, if not discreet, could create a
negative impression among members of the public viewing the proceedings.
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The increased ease of sending messages in
and out of the Chamber might allow others to influence debate.
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Attempts to restrict certain uses of iPads might
be difficult to enforce and would rely largely on Members’ voluntary compliance.
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iPads, when used as visual readers, are not
functionally different than paper documents, which Members are permitted to use and refer to during formal session.
The committee also reviewed practices in other jurisdictions. These practices are rapidly evolving as use of iPads and other tablet devices become more widespread.
Both Houses of the Parliament of Canada, the United Kingdom House of Commons and the Legislative Assembly in Saskatchewan allow use of iPads in formal session subject only to general restrictions that they be in silent mode and not be disruptive or interfere with decorum. Most other Canadian Legislatures also allow for some use of iPads during formal session, albeit subject to additional restrictions. Examples of restrictions in place in other jurisdictions include prohibiting their use by a Member who has the floor, prohibiting their use during certain proceedings such as votes, question period and/or Speaker’s rulings, and allowing the use of iPads during question period as a virtual reading device only.
In the opinion of the committee, the advantages of allowing use of iPads in formal session outweigh the potential disadvantages. Further, the concerns about the detrimental effects iPads might have on formal proceedings can be mitigated by putting in place certain restrictions. The committee, therefore, makes the following recommendation: