Infringing on financial initiative of the Crown

<div class="DecisionMain" role="main"> <p class="decision-chapter">Questions Related to Content of Bills / Infringing on Financial Initiative of the Crown</p> <p class="d-DecisionDate"> <time>September 18, 1973</time> </p> <p class="e-Debates">Journals <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.HOC_2901_119_01/506?r=0&amp;s=1">pp. 561-2</a></p> <p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2901_06/905?r=0&amp;s=1">p. 6690</a></p> <div> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2> </div> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">On January 18, the Speaker proposed to leave certain bills with financial implications introduced on January 15 on the Order Paper until they were called, at which time he would hear arguments as to their acceptability. Before second reading consideration of Bill C-33, an Act to provide for the constitution of a Federal Transport Commission of Inquiry, sponsored by Mr. Forrestall (Dartmouth-Halifax East), the Acting Speaker (Mr. Laniel) expressed doubts about the acceptability of the bill. In his view it infringed on the Crown's financial initiative. The Chair invited Members' comments before ruling.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Can a bill be introduced if it involves a charge on the public revenue but lacks a Royal Recommendation?</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">No. Such a bill is out of order.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">It is clear that a certain clause in the bill "definitely calls for the expenditure of money by Parliament" and thus infringes on the Crown's financial initiative. A private Member may not introduce a bill that imposes a charge on the treasury and lacks a Royal Recommendation.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 214, c. 249; p. 269, c. 362.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">References</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Journals, January 15, 1973, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.HOC_2901_119_01/35">pp. 33-4</a>; January 18, 1973, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.HOC_2901_119_01/49">p. 48</a>.</p> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Debates, January 15, 1973, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2901_01/267">pp. 265-6</a>; January 18, 1973, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2901_01/446">p. 444</a>; September 18, 1973, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2901_06/903">pp. <span><u>6688-90</u></span></a>.</p> </div>