Precedence and Sequence of Business / Miscellaneous

Motion to reverse or reflect upon a decision of the House

Debates pp. 1051-2

Background

Mr. Keeper (Winnipeg—St. James) asked for the unanimous consent of the House for leave to move a motion that the House proceed to Private Member's Hour to debate Bill C-204, an Act to declare Canada a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. The same bill had been negatived on division at second reading the day before. The Speaker ruled immediately on the admissibility of the motion. Ms. Jewett then sought leave to move that the subject matter of Bill C-204 be the subject of an emergency debate. The Speaker ruled similarly on the admissibility of that motion.

Issue

ls a motion which would reverse a decision of the House or reflect upon a judgement of the House admissible?

Decision

No. Such a motion is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Both motions seek to debate further a matter which has already been decided by the House. Precedent dictates that the House cannot accept a motion to reverse a decision of the House nor a motion to reflect upon a judgement of the House.

References

Debates, February 2, 1984, pp. 1028-9.