Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Point of order; provisions in bill referring to other bills under study

Debates pp. 6047-8

Background

At the outset of the debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-204, an Act to amend the Fisheries Act, Mr. Crouse (South Shore) rose on a point of order and claimed that the bill contravened a Standing Order that provided that no bill may be introduced in either blank or imperfect form. He also pointed out that the bill incorporated, by reference, certain provisions of two bills that were still at committee stage and had not been enacted. The Speaker heard comments from Members before ruling.

Issue

Can a bill receive second reading even if certain of its provisions assume the adoption of other bills?

Decision

Yes. The bill is allowed to proceed through second reading.

Reasons given by the Speaker

While the argument is not without merit, it is somewhat premature. ". . . if the bill receives second reading and is referred to committee, it would then be considered by a committee of the House along with the other two bills and it would be at the third reading stage that the argument could be presented with much more force and at that point should be considered very seriously."

References

Debates, April 20, 1970, pp. 6046-7.