Point of Order
January 26, 1982
Subamendment; beyond scope of the amendment
Hon. Jeanne Sauvé
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
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Amendments and Subamendments to Motions / Relevance
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<time>January 26, 1982</time>
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<p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3201_13/284?r=0&s=1">p. 14342</a></p>
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<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2>
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<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">During consideration of a non-confidence motion moved by Mr. Clark (Leader of the Opposition) concerning the business of supply which asked the House to reject the budget presented by Mr. MacEachen (Minister of Finance), Mr. Broadbent (Oshawa) introduced an amendment proposing the establishment of a compulsory plan for lower interest mortgage rates and the imposition of a tax on the excessive profits earned by banks. Afterwards, Mr. Wilson (Etobicoke Centre) introduced a subamendment aimed at requiring the tabling of a white paper to explain these two measures, which would be studied by a special committee of the House. After expressing doubts as to the admissibility of the subamendment, the Acting Speaker (Mr. Blaker) heard comments from Members before making a ruling.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Is the subamendment relevant to the amendment?</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">No. The subamendment is therefore out of order.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">The aim of a subamendment is to "attempt to explain the substance of the amendment" and not to substitute an entirely new proposal. In this case, the subamendment enlarges the scope of the amendment since it calls for the production of a white paper and the creation of a special committee, which constitutes new matters.</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 169, c. 202(3); p. 171, c. 203(5); 5th ed., p. 155, c. 438(2).</p>
<h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reference</h2>
<p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Debates, January 26, 1982, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3201_13/278">pp. 14336-42</a>.</p>
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Edit Metadata
Holding
"A subamendment is procedurally inadmissible if it introduces a new topic or goes beyond the scope of the amendment it purports to amend."
AI Summary
The Speaker ruled a subamendment out of order for being beyond the scope of the main amendment.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Sustained
- Tone
- Neutral
- Procedural Stage
- Debate on a Motion
- Significance
Low
High
AI Keywords
Cited Authorities
- House of Commons Procedure and Practice (3rd Edition)