Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Seeking to amend clause

Journals pp. 697-8

Debates p. 5484

Background

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-150, an Act to amend the Criminal Code ..., Mr.  Latulippe (Compton) proposed an amendment to a specific clause of the bill. The Deputy Speaker had serious doubts as to the acceptability of the amendment and reserved his ruling. The Speaker subsequently made the ruling.

Issue

Can an amendment to a specific clause of a bill be moved at second reading?

Decision

No. The amendment is unacceptable.

Reasons given by the Speaker

An amendment allowed on second reading must not relate to particulars of the clause of the bill it seeks to amend or anticipate amendments that might be moved in the standing committee considering the bill. At second reading a Member may move a declaratory resolution of some principle adverse to those of the bill, but such is not the case in this instance.

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 276-7, cc. 381-2; pp. 279-80, cc. 388-9.

References

Debates, February 13, 1969, pp. 5467-70.