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Ruling March 25, 1981

Legislative items; cancellation of debts; granting of guarantees

Hon. Jeanne Sauvé

Hon. Jeanne Sauvé

Speaker of the House

Ruling Text

There is no doubt that the eight one-dollar items which cancel debts are pure legislative items and seek in each case to amend section 18(1) of the Financial Administration Act. Whether or not they are of one dollar, it should not be permitted that "a supply item be used to obtain authority which is the proper subject of legislation". As for the supply items granting guarantees, their validity raises serious doubts, but the deviation from the traditional use of Estimates is less evident in their case.
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AI Summary

The Speaker ruled that using one-dollar supply items to amend legislation, such as the Financial Administration Act, is procedurally out of order.

AI Analysis

Holding
"Using a supply item, such as a one-dollar vote in the Estimates, to obtain legislative authority (e.g., amending an Act) is procedurally out of order."
Outcome
Sustained
Tone
Educational
Procedural Stage
Government Orders
Significance
Low High

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