Bill C-20 (Historical)

Fair Representation Act

An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act

This enactment amends the rules in the Constitution Act, 1867 for readjusting the number of members of the House of Commons and the representation of the provinces in that House.
It amends the time periods in several provisions of the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and requires that electronic versions of maps be provided to registered parties.
It also amends the Canada Elections Act to permit a returning officer to be appointed for a new term of office in certain circumstances.

Fair Representation Act

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I declare the motion carried.

[Gordon O'Connor, Conservative, Carleton—Mississippi Mills, ON]

Mr. Speaker, although the Minister of State for Transport was in his chair, he was not in his seat when the call for the vote occurred and, therefore, his vote should be discounted.

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I was going to rise on the same point of order. Although some members of the House may not have noticed, I sneaked in just after you began the vote. I concur that perhaps in this case my vote should be withdrawn.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, before the minister made that comment, I was rising to my feet to say that, given the responsibility that we have to accommodate, his vote should be allowed to stand.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The minister of state has indicated that he was not in his place at the correct time, but is it the will of the House to allow his vote to count?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[An hon. member]

No.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

I wish to inform the House that because of the proceedings on the time allocation motion, government orders will be extended by 30 minutes.

The House resumed consideration from November 2 of the motion that Bill C-20, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee, and of the amendment.

Second Reading

[Steven Fletcher, Conservative, Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. For the record, I appreciated that there would have been unanimous consent in the House but I refused that consent to allow my vote. I appreciate the sentiment for accommodation but, a the end of the day, the rules are the rules and they must be followed, regardless of who the individual is or why the individual missed the timing, which is why I refused the unanimous consent.

I do appreciate the sentiment of the House, which was to allow the vote. It makes for an interesting philosophical debate, and I am thankful.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The House appreciates both of the sentiments on the particular question.

The hon. member for Windsor—Tecumseh on debate.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I will not be taking up the rest of my speech because I need to be in committee at this point.

[The Speaker, Conservative, Andrew Scheer]

The hon. member had 18 minutes left. However, if his speech is finished, we should have questions and comments.

The hon. member for Winnipeg North.

[Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal, Winnipeg North, MB]

Mr. Speaker, I have one very brief question to the member.

I am curious to know what the NDP position is regarding the Conservative proposal that we increase the overall number of seats inside the House of Commons. Does the NDP have a position as to whether we should be increasing the number of seats?

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Mr. Speaker, that is our party position.