I am now prepared to rule on the point of order concerning the admissibility of Motion No. 17 to amend Bill C-83, an act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and another act.
I would like to thank the hon. member for Beloeil—Chambly for raising this matter and all of the other members who made interventions.
The question before us is whether the House can proceed to the consideration of a motion when the French and English versions published on the Order Paper are not the same.
In this case, the English version of the motion contains some provisions that are not included in the French version.
The sponsor of the motion, the hon. member for Oakville North—Burlington, submitted the text of her motion in English. Unfortunately, the French translation that was provided along with the royal recommendation for this motion was incomplete. It is this incomplete French version of the motion that appears in the Notice Paper.
Although members have the right to present motions and amendments in either official language, the Chair understands that it is important for all members to be able to understand the wording of motions and amendments in the language of their choice.
House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, states, at page 565:
If the Chair finds the form of the motion to be irregular, he or she has the authority to modify it in order to ensure that it conforms to the usage of the House.
I am therefore directing that the French version of Motion No. 17 be corrected and republished in the Notice Paper before the next sitting of the House.
I thank all hon. members for their attention.