House of Commons Procedure and Practice

Since the early 1990s, a number of take-note motions have been debated in the House or in Committee of the Whole.^[159] These debates solicit the views of Members on some aspect of government policy and allow Members to participate in policy development, making their views known before the government makes a decision.^[160]

Standing committees studying the idea of take-note debates in 1993 and 1994 saw them as an alternative to emergency debates, which could only be authorized by the Speaker after a series of criteria had been met.^[161] As most of the House’s time was spent considering legislation, take-note debates were viewed as an opportunity for Members to address national issues in a detailed manner. However, early proposals to establish a procedure for such debates were not adopted by the House.^[162]

In the early years, the government normally gave notice of a motion to take note of some matter and called it for debate during Government Orders.^[163] In other cases, the House adopted a special order scheduling a take-note debate on a specific issue for a specific time.^[164]

In 2001, after experimenting with the Committee of the Whole format, the House adopted a new Standing Order governing the timetable and the holding of take‑note debates in Committees of the Whole.^[165] Although the House uses this Standing Order for most of its take-note debates, it can still hold take-note debates during Government Orders by considering a government motion.^[166]

Over the years, take-note debates have covered a wide range of domestic and international issues, including cruise missile testing, Canada’s commitment in Afghanistan, and the situation in the Canadian textile industry.^[167]

   Initiating Debate

The Standing Orders allow a Minister, after consultation with the other parties, to propose a motion setting out the terms of an upcoming take-note debate. The debate must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. The question on the motion is put immediately, without debate or amendment. On the day when the debate is scheduled, at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment, the House resolves itself into Committee of the Whole and the take-note debate begins.^[168]

The House has occasionally agreed to set aside the 48 hours’ notice requirement before beginning a debate, as well as the provision that the motion setting out the terms of the debate must be moved by a Minister.^[169] Though most take-note debates are held with the support of all parties, in one case the Official Opposition requested a recorded division on the motion to schedule the debate.^[170]

   Rules and Termination of Debate

Take-note debates held in Committees of the Whole are governed by the Standing Orders that are applicable to this type of committee.^[171] There is no limit, therefore, to the number of times a Member may speak.^[172] However, the Standing Orders provide for a few exceptions to the normal rules during take-note debates. First, Members’ speeches are limited to 10 minutes and may be followed by a period of not more than 10 minutes for questions and comments. In addition, the only receivable motion during a take-note debate is a motion “That the Committee do now rise”. Finally, and exceptionally in Committees of the Whole, the Speaker may preside over the Committee debate.

The debate ends when no Member rises to speak or after four hours of debate, whichever is earlier. The Committee of the Whole is immediately adjourned. The House does not proceed with the Adjournment Proceedings, but when the Committee rises, the House immediately adjourns to the next sitting day. The motion considered by the Committee, that the Committee take note of the theme of the debate, is not put to a vote. When the Committee rises following the debate, the motion is dropped from the Order Paper.

The House has frequently changed the rules and parameters for take-note debates by special order. For instance, it has often changed the starting time and end time for the debate.^[173] In some cases, it has held the debate over more than one sitting day.[174] The House regularly orders that, during the take-note debate, no quorum calls, dilatory motions, or requests for unanimous consent be received by the Chair.^[175] Finally, for debates in Committee of the Whole, it has on occasion allowed Members to share their speaking time with one of their colleagues.^[176]