Routine Proceedings / Introduction of Bills

Explanatory notes

Journals p. 42

Debates p. 390

Background

After Mr. Howard (Skeena) had requested that his bill, an Act to amend the Territorial Sea and Fishing Zones Act, be allowed to stand, the Speaker took the opportunity to make an observation on the explanatory notes appended to the bill.

Issue

In what form should explanatory notes to a bill be written?

Decision

Explanatory notes must be brief and non-argumentative. Accordingly, the proposed bill should be corrected before introduction.

Reasons given by the Speaker

It is the long-established principle and practice of the House that any explanatory notes appended to a bill be brief and non-argumentative.

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 266-7, c. 357.