Rule of Anticipation and Reconsideration of Questions / Supply, Allotted Day

Supply, Allotted Day

Journals pp. 861-2

Debates p. 9072

Background

As the House was about to begin debate on a votable Supply Day motion relating to the government's failure to combat inflation, the Speaker took the initiative, without a point of order having been raised, to explain the possible consequences of the motion in relation to Bill C-73, the Anti-Inflation Act, which had already received second reading and had been referred to a standing committee for study.

Issue

How does the rule of anticipation apply to votable Supply Day motions?

Decision

The consideration of a Supply Day motion and the decision taken upon it should not prejudice the progress of a bill on a similar topic.

Reasons given by the Speaker

While there are rules restricting anticipation and the reconsideration of questions already determined by the House, it is nonetheless true that in the matter of Supply Day motions, the prerogative of the opposition is very broad and ought not to be interfered with. Accordingly, the debate on the Supply Day motion should proceed, but it cannot be understood to prejudice the progress of the bill.