moved for leave to introduce Bill C-273, an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act (recognized political parties).
Mr. Speaker, this bill would provide that in order to receive official party status a political party would need at least 10% of the seats in the House of Commons and members of parliament from at least three provinces or territories.
The bill would therefore prevent fringe parties such as the Progressive Conservative Party and the NDP, with only 4% of the seats in the House of Commons, from receiving the benefit of financial resources that come with the distinction of official party status.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)