House of Commons Procedure and Practice
Edited by Robert Marleau and Camille Montpetit
2000 Edition — More information …
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[151]
Debate on reforms to Canada’s social security programs took place over five days (October 6 and 7, 1994, and November 17, 18, and 21, 1994). Three “take note” debates on budget consultations continued for two days (November 28 and 30, 1994; December 9 and 11, 1996; December 10 and 11, 1997).
[152] 
On November 28 and 30, 1994, the House debated the following motion: “That this House take note of the opinions expressed by Canadians on the budgetary policy of the government and, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 83.1, authorize the Standing Committee on Finance to make a report or reports thereon no later than December 7, 1994.” The House adopted the motion on a recorded division (Journals, November 30, 1994, pp. 957-9).
[153] 
During the First Session of the Thirty-Fifth Parliament, these motions were routinely removed from the Order Paper by unanimous consent (see, for example, Journals, February 18, 1994, p. 174; February 7, 1995, p. 1095).
[154] 
For permissive provisions, see Energy Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-6, ss. 72-78; International Development (Financial Institutions) Assistance Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-18, ss. 5-11; Safe Containers Convention Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-1, ss. 8-12.
[155] 
See, for example, Unemployment Insurance Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.U-l, ss. 4(2), 6(7).
[156] 
See, for example, Safe Containers Convention Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-1, s. 12. A number of acts also specify that reports, orders, regulations or notices of intention must be referred to a parliamentary committee for review (see, for example, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, S.C. 1988, c. 22, s. 139).
[157] 
Government Organization Act, 1970, R.S.C. 1970 (2nd supp.), c. 14, s. 18(2). Journals, June 21, 1971, p. 712.
[158] 
Veterans’ Land Act, S.C. 1974, c. 3, s. 1(3). Journals, November 5, 1974, p. 104; November 6, 1974, p. 106.
[159] 
Anti-Inflation Act, S.C. 1974-75-76, c. 98, s. 11(1). Journals, June 16, 1977, p. 1144.
[160] 
Petroleum Administration Act, S.C. 1974-75-76, c. 47, ss. 36 and 52(1). Journals, November 12, 1980, p. 690; November 21, 1980, p. 769; November 26, 1980, p. 784.
[161] 
Western Grain Transportation Act, S.C. 1980-81-82-83, c. 168, s. 62(6). Journals, December 4, 1985, pp. 1315-7.
[162] 
Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, s. 5. Journals, September 9, 1992, pp. 1956-7; September 10, 1992, pp. 1960-2.
[163] 
Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, s. 7. Journals, December 8, 1992, pp. 2308-9.
[164] 
Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, S.C. 1964-65, c. 31, s. 20. Within 30 days of the tabling in the House of such a report, a motion for consideration of an objection to the report signed by not less than 10 Members could be filed with the Speaker. The motion would detail the provisions of the report objected to and the reasons for the objection. Within 15 days of the filing of the motion, time would be set aside under “Government Orders” for Members to voice their concerns about the report. Upon the conclusion of consideration of the objections, the Speaker was required to refer the objections and the relevant Debates pages back to the Commission.
[165] 
Representation Act, 1985, S.C. 1986, c. 8, ss. 9, 10. On June 10, 1994, the Standing Orders were amended to designate the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs as the parliamentary committee responsible for electoral matters (see Journals, June 10, 1994, p. 563; Twenty-Seventh Report, Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence, June 9, 1994, Issue No. 16, pp. 7-8). For additional information on electoral matters, see Chapter 4, “The House of Commons and Its Members”.
[166] 
See, for example, International Development (Financial Institutions) Assistance Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-18, s. 5(2)(a).
[167] 
While most legislation providing for such statutory debates makes provision for debate in either House, there are some statutes which do not provide for debate in the Senate. See, for example, Special Economics Measures Act (s. 7(2)); Veterans’ Land Act (s. 1(3)); and Petroleum Administration Act (s. 35(3)).
[168] 
See, for example, Emergencies Act, S.C. 1988, c. 29, s. 58(1).
[169] 
In 1974, the motion was placed under the rubric “Special Order” following the adoption of a Special Order of the House specifying the time and days on which the motion would be considered (see Journals, October 31, 1974, p. 97; Order Paper, November 5, 1974, p. 4).
[170] 
See Veterans’ Land Act, s. 1(3); Journals, October 31, 1974, p. 97.
[171] 
See Anti-Inflation Act, S.C. 1974-75-76, c. 75, s. 46(6).
[172] 
See Petroleum Administration Act, ss. 35(3), 52(4).
[173] 
See Notice Paper, December 4, 1985, p. XXIII. Pursuant to the Act, Speaker Bosley designated December 4, 1985, to be the day for the debate.
[174] 
See Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, s. 5(4). Also see Notice Paper, September 9, 1992, p. vi.
[175] 
See Special Economics Measures Act, s.7(3); Debates, December 8, 1992, pp. 14862-4.
[176] 
Journals, December 8, 1992, p. 2308.
[177]
Once House procedures are prescribed in statutes, any attempt to modify them would normally require a statutory amendment.
[178] 
Journals, October 31, 1974, p. 97.
[179] 
See Anti-Inflation Act, S.C. 1974-75-76, c. 75, s. 46(7); Petroleum Administration Act, ss. 35(4), 52(5).
[180] 
Journals, December 4, 1985, pp. 1315-6.
[181] 
Referendum Act, S.C. 1992, c. 30, s. 5(5).
[182] 
Journals, September 9, 1992, p. 1944.
[183] 
Journals, December 8, 1992, p. 2308. The motion also stipulated that any requested recorded division would be deferred until the following day.
[184] 
See Emergencies Act, S.C. 1988, c. 29, ss. 58(6), 60(5), 61(8).
[185] 
Standing Order 43(1).
[186] 
See Journals, June 16, 1977, p. 1144; December 4, 1985, p. 1315.
[187]
While the Petroleum Administration Act did not contain a “no interruption” provision, the motions before the House pursuant to this Act were always the first item of business under Government Orders and debate was only interrupted for Private Members’ Business.
[188] 
See Journals, May 30, 1977, p. 874; June 16, 1977, p. 1145; June 20, 1977, p. 1156; June 21, 1977, p. 1177. The motion under consideration was not the first item of business under Government Orders for two of the four days of debate.
[189] 
Journals, December 4, 1985, p. 1316. The debate also took place on a Wednesday when less time was allotted for Government Orders.
[190] 
The Petroleum Administration Act specified that the proceedings were to be interrupted 15 minutes before the expiry of time for government business in order to put the question on the motion (ss. 35(4) and 52(5)). However, for the two debates held pursuant to this Act, the House unanimously agreed to defer the putting of the question until the expiry of time for government business, at which time the divisions were deferred (see Journals, November 25, 1980, p. 779; November 28, 1980, p. 794).
[191] 
See, for example, Special Economic Measures Act, s. 7(7).
[192] 
See, for example, Special Economic Measures Act, s. 7(8).
[193] 
See, for example, Journals, November 6, 1974, p. 106; June 21, 1977, pp. 1177-8; November 26, 1980, pp. 785-6; December 1, 1980, p. 799; September 10, 1992, pp. 1961-2; December 8, 1992, p. 2309.
[194] 
Journals, December 4, 1985, p. 1317.

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