Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Reference of subject-matter to committee; seeking to amend clause

Journals p. 554

Debates p. 5822

Background

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-244, an Act respecting the stabilization of prairie grain sale proceeds ..., Mr. Southam (Qu'Appelle-Moose Mountain) contended that there were inconsistencies between specific provisions of the bill and the purpose set out in the Royal Recommendation. He therefore proposed to move that the bill be not now read and that the subject-matter of the bill be referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture for the purpose of comparing the principle expressed in the Royal Recommendation and the provisions of a specific clause. After noting his reservations, the Speaker sought the assistance of the House and then ruled.

Issue

Is an amendment acceptable at this stage if it attempts to amend a bill by referring its subject-matter and specific instructions relating to a particular clause to committee?

Decision

No. The amendment is not acceptable.

Reasons given by the Speaker

An attempt to amend part of a bill anticipates the committee or report stage. A proper amendment at this stage would be either a six-month hoist or a reasoned amendment. Being neither, but a combination of the two, the amendment does not object to the principle of the bill but only to the contents of a particular clause, and is therefore out of order.

References

Debates, May 14, 1971, pp. 5817-22.