Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Amendment Beyond Scope of Motion

Amendment beyond scope of motion

Journals pp. 285-6

Debates pp. 2304, 2362-3

Background

On January 24, Mr. MacEachen (President of the Privy Council) moved a motion to the effect, first, that approval be given to the radio and television broadcasting of proceedings in the House and in committee on the basis of principles similar to those governing publication of the printed official reports of debates and, secondly, that a special committee be appointed to supervise the implementation of this resolution.

During debate that same day, Mr. Baker (Grenville—Carleton) moved an amendment to delete and replace the second part of the motion. The amendment proposed that an analysis be made of the personnel and equipment required, that the question of Members' rights and immunities be studied and that the idea of experimental broadcasts be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and Organization for purposes of study and report only.

The Deputy Speaker expressed hesitation as to the acceptability of the amendment. He postponed his decision and in the interim allowed debate on the issue. The following day, after hearing arguments as to the amendment's acceptability, the Speaker made his ruling.

Issue

Is this amendment acceptable?

Decision

The amendment is not acceptable.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"If the motion is amended and adopted by the House, it leaves the matter of implementation open, and that is inconsistent with the initial proposition.  It is ... a new proposition." Because of the removal of the actual implementation language, the motion as amended would be inconsistent with its own terms.

Authorities cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 169-70, cc. 202(6), 202(15).

May, 19th ed., p. 389.

References

Debates, January 24, 1977, pp. 2296-7; January 25, 1977, pp. 2302-5, 2355-62.