Effect of previous question

<div class="DecisionMain" role="main"> <p class="decision-chapter"> Rules of Debate / Miscellaneous </p> <p class="d-DecisionDate"> <time>February 9, 1983</time> </p> <p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3201_20/266?r=0&amp;s=1">pp. 22682-5</a></p> <div> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2> </div> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">During the debate on the motion by Mr. Beatty (Wellington—Dufferin—Simcoe) for second reading of Bill C-667, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act respecting infractions against property rights associated with computers, Mr. Taylor (Bow River) moved "That the question be now put." The debate resumed, Mr. Lewis (Simcoe North) rose on a point of order and claimed that the previous question should be immediately put to a vote and that debate on the original question could not continue. After hearing Members' comments, the Acting Speaker (Mr. Corbin) ruled immediately.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Does the moving of the previous question put an immediate end to the debate on the main motion?</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">No. The debate on the main motion continues as long as the previous question is not resolved.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Since a motion that the question be now put is simply a device to prevent an amendment from being proposed, the debate on the main motion continues as long as Members wish to intervene on this question. Then, when this process has ended, the Chair must ask the House to vote on the motion proposing the previous question. Depending on the results obtained, the Chair could immediately put the main motion to a vote.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Standing Orders 36(1)(c) and 56. </p> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 5th ed., pp. 157-8, c. 452.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">References</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Debates, February 9, 1983, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3201_20/265">p. 22681</a>.</p> </div>