Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading

Substantive motion

Journals p. 895

Debates p. 7508

Background

During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-184, an Act to establish a   Canadian corporation for telecommunication by satellite, Mr. Schreyer (Selkirk) proposed an amendment that the bill be not now read a second time but that the House consider establishing the proposed Telesat Canada as a Crown corporation and provide for participation in it by the provincial governments as well as the federal government. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Bechard) took the proposed amendment under advisement. Shortly afterwards, the Speaker expressed doubts as to the acceptability of the amendment and invited comments from Members before ruling.

Issue

Is this a reasoned amendment?

Decision

No. The amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

A reasoned amendment would have to be declaratory of a principle in opposition to or differing from the principle, policy or provisions of the bill. The proposed amendment is not declaratory of a principle, but rather proposes an alternative scheme. It is, in fact, in the form of a substantive motion, which can be moved only with the usual notice.

Sources cited

May, 17th ed., p. 527.

References

Debates, April 14, 1969, pp. 7502-5.