Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Second reading

Journals p. 100

Debates pp. 537-9

Background

During debate at second reading on Bill C-10, an Act to provide for supplementary borrowing authority for the fiscal year 1979-1980, Mr. McRae (Thunder Bay—Atikokan) moved as an amendment that this bill "be not now read a second time but be stood until the Minister of Finance agrees to appear before the Standing Committee on Finance, Trade and Economic Affairs at the pleasure of that committee and preceding the appearance of the Governor of the Bank of Canada". The Acting Speaker, (Mr. Scott, Victoria—Haliburton) expressed some reservations about the motion which was subsequently considered by the Deputy Speaker.

Issue

Can an amendment to a motion for second reading require that a condition be met before allowing second reading?

Decision

No. The amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Deputy Speaker

The amendment is inconsistent with the principles which are the basis of reasoned amendments. The amendment is neither declaratory of some principle of the bill nor adverse to it. Moreover, reasoned amendments should not set a condition for second reading of a bill. In addition, the amendment anticipates the committee stage where such a decision could be made.

Authorities and precedents cited

Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 226, cc. 744-745; p. 227, c. 749.

May, 19th ed., pp. 499-500.

Journals, February 17, 1970, pp. 454-5; October 22, 1970, pp. 502-3.

References

Debates, October 23, 1979, p. 532.