Precedence and Sequence / Miscellaneous

Report stage; motions in amendment

Journals pp. 908-9

Debates pp. 7604-5

Background

During report stage consideration of Bill C-144, an Act to provide for the management of the water resources of Canada ..., the Speaker informed the House that on May 26, after report stage consideration had already begun, Mr. Harding (Kootenay West) had sought to file a notice of a motion in amendment. The Speaker invited comments from Members concerning the admissibility of presenting such a motion at this stage of the proceedings, although he indicated that hearing argument on this procedural matter would serve little purpose.

Issue

Can a motion in amendment be presented once report stage consideration of a bill has already begun?

Decision

No. A motion in amendment to modify a bill cannot be accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

According to the rules, a motion to amend, delete, insert or restore any clause in a bill must be printed on the Notice Paper no later than 24 hours prior to the consideration of a report stage. The explanatory note following that particular Standing Order confirms that only amendments of a clerical or consequential nature can be accepted after report stage consideration has begun.

Sources cited

Standing Order 75(5), (7) and (10).

References

Debates, June 2, 1970, pp. 7603-4.