Precedence and Sequence / Miscellaneous

Motions on Routine Proceedings; supply day

Journals pp. 1029-30

Debates pp. 8271-2

Background

As the motion of Mr. Macdonald (President of the Privy Council) to set and extend hours of sitting for the upcoming week was being read to the House, Mr. Stanfield (Leader of the Opposition) rose on a point of order. Without expressing any particular disagreement with the motion itself, he feared the consequences of a possible precedent by allowing this motion to be moved on an allotted day. On such a day, he claimed, the opposition motion is deemed to constitute part of the Government's business of supply and to have precedence over all other government business. Further arguments were heard before the Speaker made his ruling.

Issue

Can a motion be moved under Routine Proceedings on a day that has been designated an allotted day?

Decision

Yes. Since the motion was moved under Routine Proceedings before the House had reached Orders of the Day, it is perfectly in order to put the motion.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Government business is not reached until Orders of the Day are called. There is no conflict with the proceedings on supply even though Members anticipate that it may cause problems in the future. If a motion is properly moved during Routine Proceedings it must be accepted as in order.

References

Debates, June 18, 1970, pp. 8269-71.