Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Relevance

Subamendment; beyond scope of motion

Journals p. 28

Debates p. 211

Background

During debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, Mr. Stanfield (Leader of the Opposition) moved an amendment affirming that the House did not have confidence in the Government. Subsequently, Mr. Boisvert (Drummondville) proposed a subamendment substituting the content of the amendment with a phrase stating that the Government had not introduced "the social credit reforms required to guarantee a minimum annual income to all Canadians ... " The Speaker expressed reservations on the acceptability of the subamendment and invited comments from Members before ruling.

Issue

Is the subamendment relevant to the amendment?

Decision

No. The proposed subamendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The subamendment raises an entirely new matter. It does not explain the substance of the amendment but, rather, substitutes an entirely new proposal. The motion would have been acceptable as a main motion but not as a secondary motion.

References

Debates, January 11, 1973, pp. 209-11.