Questions Related to Content of Bills / Omnibus

Omnibus - Accepted

Debates p. 15532

Background

On March 1, when the order was called for second reading of Bill C‑94, the Energy Security Act, 1982, Mr. Andre (Calgary Centre) rose on a point of order to protest the fact that the bill contained a number of disparate items, with no connection linking them, and that in consequence it should be divided according to the various principles it contained. After hearing Members' comments, the Speaker reserved her ruling until the following day.

Issue

Is there an authority for the Chair to divide or reject this omnibus bill?

Decision

No. The bill is acceptable in its present form.

Reasons given by the Speaker

It may be that the House should accept rules or guidelines as to the form and content of omnibus bills, but in that case the House, and not the Speaker, must make those rules. Therefore, on the basis of existing precedents, the Chair cannot divide or reject the bill.

Sources cited

Debates, January 26, 1971, p. 2768; May 11, 1977, p. 5522.

References

Debates, March 1, 1982, pp. 15479-90.