Département de science politique
Faculté des sciences sociales

Université Laval

Stephen Harper has also used omnibus bills to prevent Parliament from properly reviewing and debating his proposals. We will change the House of Commons Standing Orders to bring an end to this undemocratic practice.

Real Change: A New Plan For a Strong Middle Class (page 30)

"There's ending the abuse of omnibus legislation. We have some ideas for how that might work." (Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, January 28, 2016)

"For omnibus legislation, the Speaker would also be empowered to allow for separate votes and studies for bills "where there is not a common element connecting the various provisions or where unrelated matters are linked." Budget bills that implement measures outlined in the federal budget would still be permitted."  

Liberals ready to make changes to House rules on omnibus bills, prorogation, June 15, CBC

"In June 2017, the House of Commons adopted a Government motion that changed the Standing Orders to prevent the improper use of omnibus bills and prorogation. The motion gives the Speaker power to split omnibus bills for the purposes of voting except for budget implementation bills that contain only provisions that were announced in a budget presentation or in the budget documents. The motion also forces the Government to justify, in writing, the reasons for a prorogation and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs has the power to study the Government's justification."

Chapter IX - Introduction and Readings - STANDING ORDERS of the House of Commons — Consolidated version as of November 29, 2018

"For the second year in a row, the Speaker of the House of Commons has chastised Finance Minister Bill Morneau for stuffing measures into a bill that were never mentioned in his budget."

The Globe and Mail, November 06, 2018

Bill C-654, An Act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (omnibus bills)

Political promise

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