Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Subamendment; seeking to amend clause

Journals p. 205

Debates p. 1994

Background

During consideration of an amendment moved by Mr. Orlikow (Winnipeg North) to oppose the second reading of Bill C-171, an Act to amend the Company of Young Canadians Act, Mr. Laprise (Abitibi) proposed to introduce a subamendment that made specific changes not to the amendment of Mr. Orlikow, but to a precise section of the bill itself. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bechard) immediately made a ruling.

Issue

At second reading, can amendments or subamendments be proposed to change clauses in a bill?

Decision

No. The subamendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

It is assumed that the proposal of Mr. Laprise is a subamendment as there is an amendment to the second reading motion already before the House. The sub­ amendment is irrelevant at this stage because it deals with provisions of the bill; it therefore anticipates the committee stage of the bill and would be more appropriate if moved at that stage.

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 281, c. 394(1).

References

Journals, December 15, 1969. p. 204.

Debates, December 15, 1969, pp. 1991-4.