Rules of Debate / Relevance

Report stage

Debates p. 5270

Background

During report stage consideration of Bill C-148, an Act to regulate interprovincial and export trade in freshwater fish and to establish the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, Mr. Crouse (South Shore) moved a motion in amendment. He began his comments on the motion by criticizing the work of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Forestry, which, he maintained, had acted as a rubber stamp for the Government. The Speaker interrupted him at that point and called him to order.

Issue

Can debate at report stage review the work of the committee that reported the bill?

Decision

The only matter before the House is the motion in amendment and debate should be confined to that topic.

Reasons given by the Speaker

This is not the occasion to speak on the general procedure followed by a committee of the House. If the Member "has a protest to make, ... it should be made when there is a general debate on the bill which, according to the new rules, should take place at third reading". Although the Member's remarks may have been introductory, he should now limit his remarks to his motion in amendment.