Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Third Reading

Recommittal; beyond scope of bill

Journals p. 219

Debates p. 2679

Background

During debate on the motion for third reading of Bill C-147, an Act to amend the Old Age Security Act, Mr. Rondeau (Shefford) proposed that the bill be not now read a third time but be referred back to the Standing Committee on Health, Welfare and Social Affairs for the purpose of studying the eligibility requirements stated in the parent Act. The Deputy Speaker expressed reservations about the acceptability of the amendment. Before making a final decision, however, he invited Members to present arguments on the matter.

Issue

Can an amendment at third reading seek to have a committee study the parent Act?

Decision

No. The amendment is not acceptable.

Reasons given by the Deputy Speaker

The bill before the House deals with the amount of pension payable under the Old Age Security Act. The amendment, however, proposes the study of the conditions of eligibility for the pension.  It seems that the Member is endeavouring to reach behind the bill for the purpose of amending the enabling legislation. The proposed amendment is not really relevant to the bill before the House, and "it is a fundamental rule that the amendment must be relevant to the question".

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 288, c. 418.

References

Debates, March 27, 1973, pp. 2669-79.