Routine Proceedings / Presenting Reports from Standing and Special Committees

Scope of recommendations

Debates p. 4624

Background

On June 12, 1984, the Standing Committee on Agriculture presented its fourth report to the House, on Bill C-33, an Act to amend the Western Grain Stabilization Act. In the report, the Committee recommended that the Government consider the advisability of introducing a new Royal Recommendation at the report stage of the bill, and also that the Government consider the comments made in committee relating to proposed amendments. The Speaker ruled on the report's admissibility on June 13, 1984.

Issue

Is it within the competence of a standing committee to make substantive recommendations in a report when its order of reference is a bill?

Decision

No. The report is there fore out of order and cannot be received.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Beauchesne and precedents of the House dictate that a committee of the House, whose order of reference is a bill, has no authority to report anything to the House except the bill itself.

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Sources cited

Debates, June 29, 1983, p. 26943.

Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 198, c. 62 1(2).