Amendments to the Content of Bills / Report Stage

Beyond scope of bill

Journals p. 715

Debates pp. 6277-8

Background

During report stage consideration of Bill C-29, an Act respecting Confederation Day [title changed from an Act respecting Canada Day], Mr. Gibson (Hamilton-Wentworth) proposed an amendment to replace the words "Confederation Day" in Clause 1 with "Canada Day", which would have also the effect of changing the title of the bill. At the end of the discussion, the Speaker expressed doubts as to whether the motion in amendment was in order and ruled.

Issue

Can a motion in amendment alter a bill in such a manner that it is no longer the bill presented to the House at first reading?

Decision

No. The amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

By considering this motion in amendment, the House would be considering an entirely new bill which should have been introduced like any other bill. The only thing left of the original bill is its number. Even though debate was allowed to take place, no precedent should be set for consideration of this kind of amendment.

References

Debates, April 24, 1970, pp. 6269-77.