Opposition to bill and reference of subject-matter to committee

<div class="DecisionMain" role="main"> <p class="decision-chapter">Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Second Reading</p> <p class="d-DecisionDate"> <time>March 22, 1972</time> </p> <p class="e-Debates">Journals <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.HOC_2804_118_01/204?r=0&amp;s=1">p. 208</a></p> <p class="e-Debates">Debates <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2804_02/114?r=0&amp;s=1">p. 1058</a></p> <div> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Background</h2> </div> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">During debate on the motion for second reading of Bill C-7, an Act to amend the Explosives Act, Mr. Downey (Battle River) proposed an amendment. By the terms of his amendment, in order to repudiate the principle of Bill C-7, which placed the onus of proof of innocence on the accused, he sought to refer the subject-matter of the bill to a standing committee, arguing that the principle of Canadian criminal law extends only to anti-social acts. Having expressed doubts about the acceptability of the proposed amendment, the Acting Speaker (Mr. Laniel) heard a brief comment from a Member and then ruled.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Issue</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Can an amendment both oppose a bill and refer the subject-matter to committee?</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Decision</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">No. The amendment is unacceptable.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Reasons given by the Acting Speaker</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">The amendment tries to oppose the bill and, at the same time, refer the subject­ matter of the bill to a committee. It cannot do both and is therefore out of order. It can either oppose the bill or any part of it, or refuse second reading and refer the subject-matter of the bill to a committee.</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">Sources cited</h2> <p class="g-contextResoEdNotePostscript">Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 278, c. 386(3).</p> <h2 class="f-ContextResoEdNotePostscriptTitle">References</h2> <p class="MsoNormal">Debates, March 22, 1972, <a href="https://parl.canadiana.ca/view/oop.debates_HOC2804_02/111">pp. 1055-8</a>.</p> </div>