Precedence and Sequence / Supply Day

Selection of motions

Journals p. 734

Debates p. 8569

Background

Immediately after Oral Questions, Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre) rose on a point of order to inquire how the House would proceed with the seven opposition day motions listed on the Order Paper, one of them a non-confidence motion proposed by Mr. Stanfield (Leader of the Opposition). Mr. Knowles also asked when two motions relating to concurrence in a committee report would be debated, as they should not be considered before the non-confidence motion. In addition, he alleged that two of the remaining motions were really notices of opposition to the Estimates and were faulty in form. After listening to comments from Members, the Speaker ruled.

Issue

When a number of motions relating to the business of supply are listed on the Order Paper, in what order should they be considered?

Decision

In this case, priority should be given to the non-confidence motion.

Reasons given by the Speaker

If a vote on the non-confidence motion is taken before 9:45 p.m., the House would then have the opportunity to look at the procedural difficulties mentioned in connection with the notices of opposition; "otherwise, [they] would be dealt with some time after 10:00 p.m." As for the two motions relating to concurrence in a committee report, "these would have to be considered as supply business on a supply day, but not on this day".

References

Debates, December 10, 1973, pp. 8568-9.