Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Relevance; beyond scope of bill

Journals p. 779

Debates pp. 7578-9

Background

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-262, an Act to support employment in Canada, Mr. Caouette (Témiscamingue) proposed an amendment that the bill be not now read a second time but that the Government immediately abolish the 12 per cent excise tax on products manufactured in Canada. The Speaker, expressing some doubts on the acceptability of the amendment, invited Members' comments before ruling.

Issue

Is the amendment relevant to the bill?

Decision

No. The amendment is not in order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

An amendment moved in the form of a declaratory resolution must respect the principle of relevance. This amendment goes beyond the scope of the bill; accepting it would replace the government bill with the Member's proposal.

Sources cited

May, 17th ed., p. 527.

References

Debates, September 7, 1971, pp. 7573-8.