Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Relevance

Beyond scope of motion

Journals pp. 731-2

Debates p. 6443

Background

During debate on the motion of Mr. Basford (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs) to appoint a Special Joint Committee on Price Stability and have it "consider reports of the Prices and Incomes Commission and such other related reports and on papers as may be referred to the Committee", Mr. Orlikow (Winnipeg North) proposed an amendment. The purpose of the amendment was to make the joint committee a House committee and to have it inquire into and report on "trends in the cost of living in Canada and factors which may be continuing to change in the cost of living". The Deputy Speaker reserved his ruling until later that afternoon.

Issue

Is the amendment, or any part of it, beyond the scope of the motion?

Decision

Yes. The amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The powers of a committee as set down in the notice of the motion for its appointment cannot be expanded by an amendment. When an amendment is irregular in any particular, the whole of it is not admissible and must be ruled out of order.

Sources cited

Journals, April 29, 1970, pp. 729-30.

Debates, April 29, 1970, pp. 6437-8.

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 238-9, c. 291; pp. 239-40, c. 293.

References

Debates, April 29, 1970, pp. 6428-34, 6438-43.