Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Reference of bill to committee

Journals p. 540

Debates p. 5127

Background

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-147, an Act to amend the Yukon Act, Mr. Nielsen (Yukon) proposed to move that the bill be not now read a second time but be referred to a standing committee. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Rinfret) took the matter under advisement briefly and then made his ruling.

Issue

Can a bill be referred to a committee before having been read a second time?

Decision

No. The motion is unacceptable.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The motion is out of order because it proposes the committal of a bill before second reading, contrary to the Standing Orders. The practice is very clear: "every public bill must be read twice in the House before committal or amendment".

Sources cited

Standing Order 77.

References

Debates, May 13, 1966, pp. 5122-9.