Amendments to Motions on the Progress of Bills / Third Reading

April 21, 1986

Debates p. 12500

During debate on the motion that Bill C-62 (Employment Equity Act) be read a third time and pass, Ms. Mitchell (Vancouver East) proposed to move a subamendment to the amendment moved by Ms. Copps (Hamilton East). The amendment sought to recommit the bill for the purpose of re-examining certain specified clauses. The proposed subamendment would add another clause to the list of those to be reconsidered in committee. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paproski) stated that he had some difficulty with the proposed subamendment, and invited argument regarding its procedural acceptability. He then reserved his decision and ruled later that day.

Issue

Is it in order to move a subamendment to add a new clause to those specified in the amendment to recommit the bill ?

Decision

No. The proposed subamendment is not in order.

Reasons given by the Acting Speaker

Although the new clause may be related to the clauses included in the amendment now before the House, the Chair had previously ruled that a subamendment "must not enlarge on, or differ in substance from, the amendment".