Content of Bills / Estimates

Estimates

Journals pp. 184-6

Debates pp. 1642-4

Background

On November 30, as the House was about to consider the business of supply, the Speaker made a statement in which he invited Members to suggest remedies to the procedural difficulties concerning legislative items contained in estimates. The Chair made this invitation in order to permit arguments to be prepared in advance so as to avoid the necessity of making a decision in an eleventh-hour atmosphere. Mr. Andre (Calgary Centre) indicated that there were two items in the supplementary estimates which fell into the category mentioned by the Speaker. Arguments were heard two days later, December 2, when Mr. Andre brought up the matter as a point of order.

Issue

Do the two so-called dollar items in the supplementary estimates seek legislative authority which does not presently exist?

Decision

Yes, both of these items do seek legislative authority and consequently they must be deleted from the supply bill.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The first item sought to exceed and extend the sum of money to be paid to a particular Crown corporation according to the provisions of a statute. The second item sought an exception from a restriction stipulated by the relevant statute. Both exceptions should be sought by amending the pertinent legislation.

Precedent cited

Debates, March 22, 1977, p. 4221.

References

Debates, November 30, 1977, pp. 1412-3; December 1, 1977, p. 1449; December 2, 1977, pp. 1502-5.