STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR
We're now about to embark on the next stage of our examination of Bill C-2, the detailed clause-by-clause consideration of the text of this legislative initiative. I'm told that there are 208 proposed amendments so far.
In accordance with Standing Order 75(1), Clause 1 of the Bill, the short title, would be postponed until the end of our examination.
Clause 2, on the other hand, is something that we need to look at. We need to spend some time on it, and I'd like to make a statement as to how the chair intends to proceed.
Clause 2 contains the new Conflict of Interest Act, which has some 66 proposed sections. Other Clauses in Bill C-2 also relate directly to Clause 2. For example, Clause 4 contains a consequential amendment to the Canada Post Corporation Act.
In order for us to proceed in a cogent fashion and consider all amendments that have an impact on one another, I will proceed to propose all such amendments before putting the question on Clause 2. This means that the amendments to Clause 2, Clause 3, SubClause 3(1), Clause 28, and Clause 38 should be considered and voted on before we vote on Clause 2.
I am proceeding in this fashion so that this very complex Bill will be considered in a coherent manner and so that any decisions taken by the committee are being consistently applied throughout those Clauses of the Bill that are linked together. In this way, we will complete our study with a Bill that accurately reflects the committee's decisions.
Once again, I intend to call one by one for debate each amendment in our package that relates to Clause 2, Clause 3, SubClause 3(1), Clause 28, and Clause 38. Then, once all those amendments are decided, I would put the question on Clause 2.
The manner of voting would then proceed as follows: the vote on Clause 2 will apply to Clauses 4 to 38, SubClauses 108(1) and 108(2), and Clause 227. If Clause 2 is agreed to, a separate vote is needed on Clause 3. If Clause 2 is negatived, the vote applies to Clause 3.