Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Relevance

Setting a condition

Journals pp. 515-6

Debates pp. 4795-6

Background

On May 5, during debate on a motion of Mr. Drury (Minister of Industry and Minister of Defence Production) that Parliament approve the agreement between the governments of Canada and the United States concerning automotive products, Mr. Winkler (Grey-Bruce) proposed an amendment to require the consent of Parliament should the agreement be subsequently renewed or amended. The Chair invited comments on the acceptability of the amendment. On the next day, the Speaker ruled.

Issue

Can an amendment declaratory of a principle apply to a resolution?

Decision

No. The amendment is not in order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

While it is the right of Parliament to impose by its vote the type of condition suggested in this amendment, the proper procedure is by way of substantive motion after notice. "The proposed amendment is in the nature of a declaration of principle in that it proposes the adoption of a procedure relative to international agreements which would be a substantial departure from established practice." Such amendments declaratory of a principle do not apply to resolutions, though they can be considered for other types of motion; for example, the Address in Reply and motions for second reading of public bills.

Sources cited

Journals, June 11, 1958, pp. 132-3.

Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 168, c. 201.

Bourinot, 4th ed., pp. 97,419,510.

May, 13th ed., pp. 173, 286, 390, 525.

Redlich, Vol. III, pp. 89, 137.

References

Debates, May 5, 1966, pp. 4780-3.