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12. The Process of Debate
Figure 12.1 Classification of Motions Motions to Proceed to the Orders of the Day Motions to Proceed to Another Order of Business Motions to Postpone Consideration of a Question Until a Later Date
Rules Similar in Effect to Notice
Figure 12.3 Putting the Question
Application of Results to Votes Held Successively Decorum During the Taking of a Vote Points of Order and Questions of Privilege A Decision Once Made Must Stand The Issue of Electronic Voting
The principle underlying parliamentary procedure is that the minority should have its say and the majority should have its way. Philip Laundy (Parliaments in the Modern World, p. 95) The process of debate begins when the Speaker, upon receipt of a motion in writing, duly seconded, submits it to the House and proposes the question to determine if the House wishes to adopt it. If the motion is debatable, Members may then be recognized to make speeches. The process of debate ends after the motion and any proposed amendments and subamendments have been considered. The original or amended motion is reread by the Speaker and the question for the adoption of the motion is put to the House for a decision. The most basic components of this process are the “motion” and the “question”—the motion being a proposal that the House do something or express an opinion with regard to some matter; the question being the mechanism used to ask the House if it agrees with the motion, first, when it is proposed by the Speaker and, second, when it is put to the House for a decision at the conclusion of debate. As in all deliberative bodies, discussion in the House of Commons must always be relative to a definite proposal (or motion).[1] The House responds to such specific proposals by deciding on questions put to it by the Speaker. Without a motion and a question, there can be no debate.[2] Once a question has been proposed by the Speaker, debate may take place. The Speaker enjoys extensive powers to enforce the rules of debate. These rules include, in general, limitations on what may be said, when and by whom it may be said, and for how long each debater may speak. The intent of such rules is to guide the flow of debate and to protect it from excess.[3] During the process of debate, the House follows a basic sequence of steps: providing notice of a motion, moving and seconding the motion, proposing the question from the Chair, debating the motion, putting the question on the motion, and arriving at a decision on the motion. This chapter describes the steps in this sequence, and discusses the rules and practices of the House applicable to each. [1] Stewart, J.B., The Canadian House of Commons: Procedure and Reform, Montreal and London: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1977, p. 34. [2] Redlich, J., The Procedure of the House of Commons: A Study of its History and Present Form, Vol. III, translated by A.E. Steinthal, New York: AMS Press, 1969 (reprint of 1908 ed.), p. 51. [3] For further information, see Chapter 13, “Rules of Order and Decorum”. |
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