Routine Proceedings

Introduction

Since 1975, the categories of business under "Routine Proceedings" have not undergone any fund amental changes. At that time, the Standing Orders were modified to permit routine proceedings to start after Oral Question Period, not later than 3:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. A new category, "Statements by Ministers", was added. The daily routine proceedings are called in the following order:

a) "Presenting Reports from Standing and Special Committees"

Normally tabled by the chairman of a committee, these reports deal with Government bills, Estimates or special subject-matters. In December 1982, the Standing Orders were altered to permit a committee to request the Government to make a comprehensive response to its report within 120 days following the tabling of the report.

b) "Tabling of Documents"

Ministers, or Parliamentary Secretaries acting on behalf of their Ministers, can table documents in accordance with an Act of Parliament, an order for return, or a Standing Order of the House. Following amendments to the Standing Orders in 1982, all documents tabled in accordance with an Act of Parliament are permanently referred to the appropriate standing committees.

c) "Statements by Ministers"

When this heading is called, Ministers may make a statement of Government policy, followed by a Member from each of the opposition parties who may comment briefly thereon and ask questions. The Speaker has the authority to limit the time for such proceedings as deemed fit.

d) "Petitions"

Although this item is not officially part of the daily routine proceedings, a great number of petitions were presented during the term of Speaker Francis. While presenting petitions, Members are asked not to make a speech but only to describe briefly the contents of the petition to the House.

e) "Introduction of Bills"

A legislative measure may be brought before the House by a Member after giving 48 hours' notice to the Speaker. Leave to introduce a bill is usually a pro forma proceeding: it is not debatable, though it can result in a vote at this time. This is true as well for the motion for first reading and printing, which follows immediately after leave to introduce a bill has been granted. The rules and practice of the House do not permit a bill to be in imperfect form when being presented.

f) "First Reading of Senate Public Bills"

Normally, public bills received from the Senate are given first reading without any difficulty. The Speaker or any Member may challenge the receivability of any public bill from the Senate if it contains an appropriation.

g) "Notice of Government Motions"

When the notices of motion listed under this heading are called, they are transferred without debate to the heading "Government Orders" unless the House takes a decision on them.

h) "Motions"

This heading comprises a variety of items relating to House business: for example, motions seeking concurrence in reports from committees and the adoption of changes to the Standing Orders.