Routine Proceedings / Motions

Committee report; amendments

Journals p. 394

Debates pp. 3219-20

Background

On November 6, when Mr. Wahn (St. Paul's) presented the second report of the Standing Committee on External Affairs and National Defence, the House ordered by unanimous consent that a supply day be set aside to debate the report. Furthermore, it was ordered that "all Standing Orders and precedents applicable be waived to the extent necessary to permit an amendment to be moved as would be the case on a motion to amend a supply motion." On November 26, during the debate on the motion for concurrence in the second report, Mr. Fairweather (Fundy-Royal) proposed an amendment to add two recommendations to the report, and debate continued without an intervention by the Speaker or a point of order being raised. Just prior to the 6:00 p.m. interruption, the Speaker made a statement on the procedural regularity of the amendment and explained why he had not intervened.

Issue

Can the House amend a committee report on a motion for its concurrence?

Decision

Under normal circumstances, no. In view of the special order, the Chair accepts the amendment, but this is not to be regarded as a precedent.

Reasons given by the Speaker

According to practice, the amendment could not be received or debated, since it amends the report of the committee rather than the motion for concurrence. "However, in view of the terminology of the special order setting up this debate suspending precedents and Standing Orders, the Chair, under the circumstances, considered that the amendment should be accepted."

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 251, c. 323.

References

Journals, November 6, 1968, p. 206.

Debates, November 6, 1968, p. 2469; November 26, 1968, pp. 3200-6.