Thank you.
First, I want to mention to committee members that amendments CPC‑53, CPC‑54 and LIB‑36 deal with similar measures. That said, here is my ruling on amendment CPC‑53.
Bill C‑13 seeks to amend the Official Languages Act, which does not apply to representatives of the Crown in Canada. However, amendment CPC‑53 seeks to make the “Governor General of Canada or other Chief Executive Officer or administrator carrying on the Government of Canada on behalf and in the name of the Sovereign” subject to the act. That is beyond the scope of the bill passed at second reading by the House of Commons.
I would refer to the House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, page 770: “An amendment to a bill that was referred to a committee after second reading is out of order if it is beyond the scope and principle of the bill.”
In my opinion, for the reasons stated above, the amendment is beyond the scope of the bill. Therefore, I rule that the amendment is out of order.
Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.