Routine Proceedings / Introduction of Bills

Private Members' bills

Journals p. 33

Debates p. 265

Background

When the House reached the period in routine proceedings for the introduction of bills, the Speaker requested the unanimous consent of the House to follow the practice developed in recent years with respect to the introduction of a large number of private Members' public bills early in the session.

Issue

Can private Members' bills be introduced and given first reading even though the Chair has not had the opportunity to determine their procedural acceptability?

Decision

Yes, with unanimous consent and subject to a subsequent examination as to the regularity of each bill.

Reasons given by the Speaker

It is not practical or possible for the Chair to review the provisions of each of the public bills. Unanimous consent is therefore sought to allow the introduction and first reading of the bills, subject to an examination of the regularity of each bill before it is called for second reading.