Routine Proceedings / Introduction of Bills

Private Members' bills

Journals pp. 499-500

Debates p. 4165

Background

On November 10, as the House proceeded to the introduction of a bill entitled "an Act to amend the British North America Act, 1867 and Publication of Statutes Act (proceedings to be printed in French and English on the same page)" in the name of Mr. Rock (Jacques-Cartier-Lasalle), a point of order was raised by Mr. Churchill (Winnipeg South Centre). He claimed that since the bill was a money bill it could not be introduced by a private Member. The Speaker took the matter into consideration and gave a ruling several days later.

Issue

Is the bill a money bill?

Decision

No. The Member can therefore introduce the bill.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The bill does not fall within the definition of a money bill which requires that a charge must be new and distinct, and effectively imposed. Any expenditure resulting from the adoption of the bill would be covered by an existing statute. In fact, the Publication of Statutes Act, which would cover the expenditure, was itself introduced without a resolution or a recommendation of the Crown.

Sources cited

Publication of Statutes Act, R.S.C. 1952, c. 230, s. 16.

Journals, March 31, 1925, p. 182.

May, 17th ed., pp. 841-2.

References

Debates, November 10, 1967, p. 4127.