Bill C-40
If you have any questions or comments regarding the accessibility of this publication, please contact us at accessible@parl.gc.ca.
|
|
SUMMARY |
|
|
|
The Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Program was
established in 1975. Since then, nine Acts have been passed (1977,
1978, 1981, 1984, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1999). The purpose of
the Program is to allow minor amendments of a non-controversial
nature to be made to a number of federal statutes without having to wait
for particular statutes to be opened up for amendments of a more
substantial nature. Anyone may suggest amendments for possible
inclusion in a set of proposals, but most of the current proposals have
come from government departments or agencies.
|
|
|
|
The Legislation Section of the Department of Justice is responsible
for receiving and reviewing proposals. The following criteria are
applied to determine whether a suggested amendment may be included
in the Proposals tabled in Parliament. The suggested amendment must
not
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Legislation Section prepares a document entitled ``Proposals
for a Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act'', containing only
those proposals that, in its view, meet the Program criteria.
|
|
|
|
This document is tabled in the House of Commons by the Minister
of Justice, and referred to the appropriate Standing Committee of the
House. Except in 1977, the proposals have also been tabled in the
Senate and referred to its Standing Committee on Legal and
Constitutional Affairs.
|
|
|
|
Consideration of the proposals by these Committees has always
been thorough and non-partisan. If either of these Committees
considers a proposal to be controversial, that proposal is dropped.
|
|
|
|
The reports of the Senate Committee have always been adopted by
the Senate, but a motion has never been made for concurrence in the
reports of the House of Commons.
|
|
|
|
A Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Bill is then prepared,
based on the reports of the two Committees and containing only
proposals approved by both Committees. Passage of the Bill has always
been speedy, given the usual understanding that the Bill will receive
three readings in each House without debate.
|
|