Bill C-347

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First Reading

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SUMMARY
Constitution Act, 1867
Interpretation

First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-347
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (oath of office)

FIRST READING, June 21, 2023

Mr. Arseneault

441276

SUMMARY

This enactment amends section 128 of the Constitution Act, 1867 to provide that every member of the Senate or House of Commons of Canada may, before taking their seat, choose to take and subscribe the oath of allegiance, an oath of office or both.

Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:

www.ourcommons.ca

1st Session, 44th Parliament,

70-71 Elizabeth II – 1 Charles III, 2021-2022-2023

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-347

An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (oath of office)

His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

30-31 Vict.‍, c. 3 (U.‍K.‍); 1982, c. 11 (U.‍K.‍)

Constitution Act, 1867

1 Section 128 of the Constitution Act, 1867 is renumbered as subsection 128(1) and is amended by adding the following:

Choice of oath

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), every Member of the Senate or House of Commons of Canada may take and subscribe the Oath of Office contained in the Fifth Schedule to this Act instead of the Oath of Allegiance or may take and subscribe both.

2 The Fifth Schedule to the Act is amended by adding the following after the Oath of Allegiance:

Oath of Office

I, A.‍B.‍, do swear that I will carry out my duties in the best interest of Canada while upholding its Constitution.

Interpretation

3 A reference to the Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 is deemed to include a reference to this Act.

Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons