Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Relevance

Beyond scope of motion

Journals pp. 348-9

Debates pp. 2511

Background

During debate on the motion of Mr. Cameron (High Park) to delete one of two identical items from the Order Paper respecting Bill S-15, an Act to incorporate Seaboard Finance Company of Canada, which he was sponsoring, Mr. Peters (Timiskaming) proposed an amendment. The object of his amendment was to delete both items. This was necessary, he claimed, because of the confusion about when the Senate had passed the bill. He suggested that the item be re-entered after the Senate determined whether or not the bill had been properly passed. The Deputy Speaker ruled on the admissibility of the amendment immediately.

Issue

Is the amendment limited to the purpose of the original motion?

Decision

No. The proposed amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The proposed amendment constitutes a new question and cannot be considered an amendment to the original motion; the original motion was designed simply to delete an entry, whereas the amendment is designed to delete the entire bill.

References

Journals, July 4, 1967, pp. 305-6; July 7, 1967, p. 332.

Debates, September 26, 1967, pp. 2507, 2510-11.