NEWS RELEASE

  June 12, 2001                                                                                                    For Immediate Release

  GOV’T SUPPORTS ALLIANCE MOTION TO MAKE PRIVATE MEMBERS BILLS VOTABLE

“If implemented, this motion will enhance the ability of all Members of Parliament to do their jobs.”

  Ottawa – Today, Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville led off debate of the Official Opposition’s votable supply day motion to have votes on all Private Members’ Bills and Motions debated in the House of Commons.  During the debate, Don Boudria, Government House Leader, congratulated Breitkreuz for his efforts and indicated that the government will support the Alliance motion.

  The Canadian Alliance Supply Day Motion read: That the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs be instructed to draft and report to this House, no later than November 1, 2001, changes to the Standing Orders improving procedures for the consideration of Private Members’ Business, including a workable proposal allowing for all items to be votable. 

  Breitkreuz referred to a 1996 Library of Parliament research paper titled, “The Evolution of Private Members’ Business” to demonstrate that up until 1955, Private Members’ Bills and Motions used to dominate the agenda of the House of Commons.  The Alliance motion is an attempt to get more balance between the government’s agenda and the agenda of individual Members of Parliament.  “Making all Private Members’ Business votable would be a huge change in this place,” predicted Breitkreuz.  “It would probably do more to change the dynamics of Parliament than any other change I could contemplate – other than making all legislation a free vote.”

  Breitkreuz’s own experience demonstrates the frustration created by the current system.  “Since, I was first elected to Parliament in 1993, I have had a total of 4 Private Members Bills and 8 Private Members Motions selected for debate in the House of Commons.  Twelve (12) Private Members Bills and Motions and NOT one has been deemed a votable item by the Private Members Business Sub-Committee!” 

  During the debate, the Saskatchewan MP provided statistics that showed that in the last three Parliaments that the number of Private Members’ Bills and Motions drawn compared to the number made votable has actually been declining.  The effect on the Official Opposition has been particularly dramatic.  “Since the beginning of this Parliament, Alliance MPs have had 24 items drawn and placed inside the order of precedence, but only two have been made votable, revealed Breitkreuz.

  “I must admit my own level of frustration for the lack of democracy in this place has been somewhat eased by the government’s support of our motion today.  Our challenge now is to work in Committee to develop a workable solution that will be supported by Members of the House.  I believe we have made a dramatic step forward,” concluded Breitkreuz.

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