Rules of Debate / Relevance

Report stage

Debates p. 1039

Background

During report stage consideration of Bill C-5, an Act to authorize the provision of moneys to meet certain capital expenditures of the Canadian National Railways system and Air Canada ..., two motions in amendment proposed by Mr. Blenkarn (Mississauga) were grouped for debate. They proposed to reduce the sums of money requested by the bill concerning hotels and CN Tower Limited in Toronto for the calendar year. Mr. McKenzie (Winnipeg South Centre) then began discussing the financial aspects and the internal operations of Air Canada. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Laniel) intervened to limit the scope of the debate.

Issue

Are remarks acceptable at report stage if they are unrelated to the motion in amendment under consideration?

Decision

No. Such remarks are not acceptable.

Reasons given by the Acting Speaker

Since the House is considering two motions in amendment referring only to the Canadian National Railways system, the Member's remarks concerning the financial aspects and internal management of Air Canada are irrelevant. The Member should defer his remarks either to a later debate of motions in amendment related to this particular point, or to debate at third reading.

References

Debates, April 1, 1974, pp. 1038-9.