Questions Related to Content of Bills / Based on Previous Budget

Based on previous Budget

Journals p. 202

Debates pp. 965-6

Background

After the motion for second reading of Bill C-169, an Act to amend the Income Tax Act, had been moved, Mr. Lambert (Edmonton West) rose on a point of order to object to the procedure being followed by the Government. He contended that a new Budget presentation ought to be made because this bill was based on a Budget presented in a previous session. He maintained this was improper and resulted from inadequate consideration of the new supply procedure contained in the Standing Orders. Furthermore, Mr. Lambert claimed that the government action, if considered acceptable, would deprive the House of any method by which it could require that a Budget presentation be made. The Speaker heard comments from Members before ruling.

Issue

Can a ways and means bill be related to a Budget statement presented in a previous session?

Decision

Yes. The bill is acceptable.

Reasons given by the Speaker

There is no requirement for a Budget presentation in the rules. It is acceptable to present a bill based on a Budget of an earlier session. "There has been a practice, under the old rules, that there be a Budget presentation, but there was nothing in the Standing Orders ... requiring that a Budget presentation be made." Basing ways and means legislation on a Budget resolution passed in the previous session is not a new procedure and has been done several times in the past.

Sources cited

Standing Order 60.

Journals, October 22, 1962, p. 133.

Debates, October 19, 1962, pp. 703-4; October 22, 1962, pp. 784-90.

References

Debates, March 20, 1972, pp. 963-5.