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June 3, 1975
Amendments to the Content of Bills / Report Stage June 3, 1975 Journals p. 597 Debates pp. 6407-8 Background As the House was proceeding to the report stage consideration of Bill C-50, an Act to...
A ruling affirming the principle that amendments infringing on the financial initiative of the Crown by proposing new or increased spending without a royal recommendation are out of order.
November 28, 1973
At report stage, motions in amendment require notice, and are thus placed in the category of substantive motions subject to amendment and subamendment. As this is the first time an interpretation...
The Speaker ruled that a Member cannot move a subamendment to their own motion; another Member must propose it.
July 20, 1973
The purpose of the bill is to provide for the reinstatement of the law relating to capital punishment. The effect of these motions, however, is to remove those provisions from the bill. "In other...
The Speaker reluctantly allows a bill to proceed from committee even though its amendments negate the bill's original principle.
March 6, 1973
No distinction should be made between government back-benchers and backbenchers of other parties; the former have the same right as the latter to ask questions. The Chair has reservations related...
The Speaker confirms government backbenchers and Parliamentary Secretaries can ask questions but expresses concern about the propriety of them questioning each other.
June 7, 1972
Although the right to petition the House of Commons is fundamental, there is a precedent to the effect that the House will not receive a petition dealing with a matter that falls within the...
The Speaker ruled a petition inadmissible because it was outside the House's jurisdiction and contained improper charges.
February 16, 1972
The Chair has the power to order the withdrawal at this point of strangers from the Chamber; that is, all people in the galleries, including those behind the Chair. This would be done, of course,...
The Speaker rules that the tradition of admitting the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for a summons from the Senate overrides the Chair's power to clear the galleries.
October 4, 1971
Too narrow an interpretation of the authorities cited by Members would place Parliament in an intolerable situation where "the whole legislative process might be stopped simply by the initiation...
The Speaker ruled that the sub judice convention does not apply to bills, preventing legal proceedings from halting the legislative process.
May 7, 1971
Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading May 7, 1971 Journals p. 534 Debates pp. 5613-6 Background During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-244, an Act...
The Speaker ruled that a bill can be withdrawn by unanimous consent even after its principle has been approved at second reading.
December 2, 1970
"The word 'emergency' used in relation to Standing Order 26 has always been interpreted to refer to a sudden occurrence, a newly arising situation." In this case, "the situation referred to in the...
A request for an emergency debate was denied because the issue was a long-standing matter, not a sudden occurrence as required by the rules.
April 24, 1970
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...
The Speaker ruled an amendment out of order for being beyond the scope of the original bill, as it effectively created entirely new legislation.