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In order to bring a proposal before the House and obtain a decision on it, a motion is necessary.[4] A motion is a proposal moved by one Member in accordance with well‑established rules that the House do something, order something done or express an opinion with regard to some matter.[5] A motion initiates a discussion and gives rise to the question to be decided by the House.[6] This is the process followed by the House when transacting business. While there may be many items on the Order Paper awaiting the consideration of the House, only one motion may be debated in the House at any one time.[7] Once a motion has been proposed to the House by the Chair, the House is formally seized of it. The motion may then be debated, amended, superseded, adopted, negatived, or withdrawn.[8] A motion is adopted if it receives the support of the majority of the Members present in the House at the time the decision on it is made. Every motion, once adopted, becomes either an order or a resolution of the House. Through its orders, the House regulates its proceedings or gives instructions to its Members or officers, or to one of its committees. A resolution of the House is a declaration of opinion or purpose;[9] it does not require that any action be taken, nor is it binding. The House has frequently brought forth resolutions in order to show support for an action or outlook.[10] A motion must be drafted in such a way that, should it be adopted by the House, “it may at once become the resolution … or order which it purports to be”.[11] For example, it is usual for the text of a motion to begin with the word “That”. While examples may be found of motions with preambles, this is generally considered out of keeping with usual practice.[12] It is customary for motions to be expressed in the affirmative. A motion should not contain any objectionable or irregular wording. It should be neither argumentative nor in the style of a speech.[13]
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