Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Failure to oppose principle of bill; setting a condition

Journals pp. 502-3

Debates pp. 5190-1

Background

During debate on the motion for the second reading of Bill C-187, an Act respecting minerals in the Yukon Territory, Mr. Dinsdale (Brandon-Souris) proposed an amendment. He moved that the House adopt the terms and conditions for the compensation of native peoples agreed to by the House in 1867, and that these terms and conditions be implemented before any further legislation could be enacted concerning the sale of mineral rights in the Yukon Territory. The Speaker had reservations about the acceptability of the motion and invited comments from Members before ruling.

Issue

Is an amendment proposing to attach a condition acceptable as a reasoned amendment?

Decision

No, the amendment cannot be put.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Though the effect of the amendment would be to stop proceedings on the bill, the amendment itself does not state an opposition to the principle of the bill, nor does it "indicate [the] reasons why the second reading should not be proceeded with". Instead, the amendment clearly states that it attaches a condition to the motion for second reading, and such an amendment cannot be moved at this stage.

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., pp. 280-1, c. 393(1).

May, 17th ed., pp. 526-8.

References

Debates, April 23, 1971, pp. 5183-90.