Precedence and Sequence / Miscellaneous

Reading stages of a bill

Journals pp. 738-9

Debates pp. 5893-4

Background

Immediately after Bill C-138, an Act to amend the Bretton Woods Agreements Act and the Currency, Mint and Exchange Fund Act, was concurred in at the report stage, Mr. Olson (Minister of Agriculture) moved that the bill be read a third time. Mr. Lambert (Edmonton West) raised a point of order questioning whether third reading can be given on the same day as the report stage. The Speaker made a ruling and also addressed the point raised by Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre) concerning the application of the rule which provides that a bill cannot be given two readings on the same day.

Issue

Is it in order to proceed to third reading of a bill on the same day that it has been concurred in at report stage?

Decision

Yes, it is in order because no amendment was considered at the report stage.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The rules permit third reading of a bill on the same day if the report from the committee does not include an amendment at the report stage. "It is only when there is an amendment proposed and debated at the report stage that there cannot be two stages on the same day." A bill cannot be given two readings on the same day. Because report stage is not a reading stage, a bill may be adopted at report stage and given third reading on the same day.

Sources cited

Standing Orders 72 and 75(14).