Questions Related to Content of Bills / Estimates

Legislative items

Debates p. 23968

Background

On March 18, Mr. Andre (Calgary Centre) raised a point of order with respect to the Supplementary Estimates (C) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1983. In his view, Vote Lllc under Fisheries and Oceans and Vote 10c under Industry, Trade and Commerce are out of order, since the first seeks to change the Freshwater Fish Marketing Act, while the second is based on a bill which has not yet been passed by Parliament. After hearing Members' comments, the Acting Speaker (Mr. Corbin) took the matter under consideration and made a ruling three days later.

Issue

Can the votes in question be included in the Supplementary Estimates?

Decision

No. The votes must be deleted from the Supplementary Estimates.

Reasons given by the Acting Speaker

The Government must satisfy itself with seeking authority to spend money that has previously been approved by a statute. According to one authority, "items in the Estimates which are clearly intended to amend existing legislation should come to the House by way of an amending bill rather than an item in the Estimates."

Sources cited

Debates, June 12, 1981, pp. 10546-7.

Freshwater Fish Marketing Act, R.S.C. 1970, c. F-13, s. 17.

Beauchesne, 5th ed., p. 169 c. 485(1).

References

Debates, March 18, 1983, pp. 23914-6.