Questions Related to Content of Bills / Estimates

Notices of opposition

Journals pp. 735-8

Debates pp. 8604-5

Background

On the final allotted day of the supply period for the session, Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre) rose on a point of order concerning two notices of opposition, standing in the name of Mr. Nielsen (Yukon), to an item in the Supplementary Estimates, The first notice sought to reduce the item by the amount of the Minister's salary which, Mr. Knowles stated, is a statutory provision and would not be affected even if the item were reduced, He argued that the second notice of opposition was also out of order, as it "proposes an amendment at a time [in the Supply proceedings] when no amendments are permitted", After hearing comments from other Members, the Speaker ruled.

Issue

Can a notice of opposition seek to reduce or propose an amendment to an item in the Estimates?

Decision

No, A notice of opposition that seeks to reduce an item in the Estimates is irregular. A notice of opposition that proposes an amendment is out of order at this time in the proceedings,

Reasons given by the Speaker

A notice of opposition "should not include argument and should not attempt indirectly to reduce an item which is not actually before the House", At this point in the proceedings there can be no debate and, therefore, no amendment on the second notice, "The Member… which he cannot do directly …"

Sources cited

Standing Order 58(10).

References

Debates, December 10, 1973, pp. 8568-9, 8600-4.