REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
The Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament has the honour to present its
FIFTH REPORT
Pursuant to rule 12-7(2)(a), Your committee recommends as follows:
That the Rules of the Senate be amended by:
1. replacing current rules 5-5(i) and (j) with the following:
“(i) to rescind a leave of absence or suspension ordered by the Senate;
(j) that an item of Other Business be not further adjourned; or
(k) any other substantive motion.”;
2. adding the following new rule 6-13 immediately after current rule 6-12:
“Terminating Debate on Item of Other Business
Notice of motion that item of Other Business be not further adjourned
6-13. (1) Notice of a motion that an item of Other Business be not further adjourned may only be given if the item has been both:
(a) called for consideration at least fifteen times; and
(b) debated for a cumulative total of at least three hours.
Who may give notice
6-13. (2) Notice of such a motion may only be given by:
(a) the sponsor or critic of a bill;
(b) the senator who moved a substantive motion; or
(c) the senator who moved the adoption of a committee report.
Procedure for debate on motion
(3) When a motion that an item of Other Business be not further adjourned has been moved:
(a) the debate shall not be adjourned;
(b) debate shall last a maximum of two and one half hours;
(c) during the debate the rules respecting the ordinary time of adjournment shall not apply, and the debate shall instead continue until concluded or the time has expired;
(d) no amendment or other motion shall be received, except a motion that a certain Senator be now heard or do now speak;
(e) Senators shall speak only once;
(f) Senators may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes each, provided that:
(i) the Leader of the Government and the Leader of the Opposition may each speak for up to 30 minutes, and
(ii) the leader of any other recognized party may speak for up to 15 minutes;
(g) When debate concludes or the time for debate expires, the Speaker shall put the question;
(h) Any standing vote requested shall not be deferred, and shall be taken according to the ordinary procedure for determining the duration of bells; and
(i) immediately after any interruption due to a case of privilege, emergency debate, question of privilege, or the evening suspension at 6 p.m., the debate shall resume for the balance of any time remaining.
Rejection of motion
(4) If this motion is rejected, notice of another motion of the same type shall not be given again until both:
(a) the item has been called for consideration at least a further fifteen times; and
(b) there has been a cumulative total of at least three additional hours of debate.
Adoption of motion
(5) If this motion is adopted, then when the item of Other Business is next called:
(a) the debate shall not be adjourned;
(b) no amendment or other motion shall be received, except that a certain Senator be now heard or do now speak;
(c) the Senate shall continue sitting beyond the ordinary time of adjournment until debate has concluded; and
(d) immediately after any interruption due to a case of privilege, emergency debate, question of privilege, or the evening suspension at 6 p.m., the debate shall resume.
Vote on main motion
(6) The normal rules governing the taking of the vote shall apply once debate on the main motion concludes.
If debate not on main motion
(7) If debate was not on the main motion, when that debate concludes:
(a) if a standing vote is requested the ordinary procedure for determining the duration of the bells shall apply;
(b) the vote shall not be deferred;
(c) after the vote, debate on the item of Other Business shall continue pursuant to this rule; and
this process shall continue until the conclusion of debate on the item of Other Business.”;
3. renumbering current rule 6-13 as 6-14; and
4. updating all cross references in the Rules, including the lists of exceptions, accordingly.
Respectfully submitted,
VERNON WHITE
Chair