Infringing on the financial initiative of the Crown

<div class="DecisionMain" role="main"> <p class="decision-chapter"> Questions Related to Content of Bills / Miscellaneous </p> <p class="d-DecisionDate"> <time>June 6, 1980</time> </p> <p class="e-Debates">Journals <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.HOC_3201_126_01/230">pp. 244-5</a></p> <p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC3201_02/720?r=0&amp;s=1">pp. 1862-3</a></p> <div> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2> </div> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">During the period set aside for consideration of Private Members' Business, Mr. Caccia (Davenport) moved that Bill C-205, An Act to amend the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1971 (maternity benefits), be read a second time. The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ethier) ruled immediately on the right of a private Member to introduce such a bill.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Can a private Member introduce a bill which, directly or indirectly, provides for an increase of the charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund?</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">No. Such a bill must be introduced by a Minister of the Crown and be accompanied by a Royal Recommendation. (The Speaker agreed, however, to allow debate on the bill until the end of the period set aside for Private Members' Business.)</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Considering that the unemployment insurance system is sustained, in part, by charges on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, a bill which provides for the extension in the benefit period, for an enlargement of the class of possible claimants, or for an increase in the benefits payable under the act would result in the charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund being increased. Therefore, this type of bill must be introduced by a Minister of the Crown and accompanied by a Royal Recommendation.</p> </div>