Content of Bills / Infringing on Financial Initiative of the Crown

Infringing on financial initiative of the Crown (private Member's bill)

Journals pp. 1080-1

Debates p. 11430

Background

On a motion for second reading of Bill C-272, the Canada-Alaska and Maine Corridors Authority Act, standing in the name of Mr. Watson (Laprairie), the Deputy Speaker expressed reservations about the procedural acceptability of the bill.

Issue

Can the House consider a bill involving an indirect expenditure of money if it is not accompanied by a Royal Recommendation?

Decision

Despite some hesitation as to the procedural acceptability of the bill, the Chair decided to let the bill come to a debate.

Reasons given by the Deputy Speaker

Because Members have already agreed to proceed with the bill, and also because similar bills have been debated in the House in the past, debate will be permitted.

However, such borderline bills should be in the form of notices of motions and this case should not be taken as a precedent.