Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Beyond scope of bill; opposing subject-matter

Journals pp. 778-9

Debates pp. 7572-3

Background

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-262, an Act to support employment in Canada, Mr. Lewis (York South) proposed an amendment that the bill be not now read a second time, but that the Government consider measures to stimulate the Canadian economy and free it from its dependence on the United States. The Deputy Speaker expressed concern that the amendment did not oppose the narrow principle of the bill and that it went beyond the scope of the bill. He invited the assistance of Members before ruling.

Issue

Can an amendment be accepted if it opposes the subject-matter of a bill but not its principle?

Decision

No. The amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Deputy Speaker

A reasoned amendment must clearly oppose the principle of a bill; it must also state a principle opposed to that of the bill rather than of its subject-matter. Furthermore, an amendment must stay within the four corners of a bill; otherwise it becomes irrelevant, as has happened in this case. The effect of accepting this amendment would be to withdraw the bill and substitute it with debate on suggestions and proposals to attack the problem of unemployment.

References

Debates, September 7, 1971, pp. 7565-72.