Colleagues, for clause 312 we have three amendments. We have NDP-5, we have BQ-5, and we have BQ-6. I'm assuming the Bloc wants to read both amendments. Monsieur Crête had asked how I had ruled earlier on the previous Bloc amendments. The ruling of the chair will be the same with respect to the royal recommendation, and I can read that:
Bill C-10 provides $500 million for the renovation and retrofit of social housing.
The amendments BQ-5 and BQ-6 seek to amend the bill so that this sum is increased.
House of Commons Procedure and Practice states at page 655: “An amendment must not offend the financial initiative of the Crown. An amendment is therefore inadmissible if it imposes a charge on the Public Treasury or if it exceeds the objects or purposes or relaxes the conditions and qualifications as expressed in the Royal Recommendation.”
In the opinion of the Chair, the amendment proposes a new scheme which seeks to alter the terms and conditions of the Royal Recommendation, therefore I rule the amendment inadmissible for both BQ-5 and BQ-6.
As I've stated before, the ruling is not debatable, but members can challenge the chair on the ruling.
Monsieur Laforest, you'd like to challenge the ruling?