Before we move on to private members' business, the Chair wishes to make some brief remarks.
This week, the House has begun debate on items sponsored by private members. I would therefore like to make a brief statement regarding the management of Private Members' Business.
As members know, certain constitutional procedural realities constrain the Speaker and members insofar as legislation is concerned.
Following the establishment or the replenishment of the order of precedence, the Chair has developed a practice of reviewing items so that the House can be alerted to bills which, at first glance, appear to impinge on the financial prerogative of the Crown. The aim of this practice is to allow members the opportunity to intervene in a timely fashion to present their procedural arguments.
The order of precedence having been established on February 27 and reinstated after prorogation, I therefore wish to inform the House that there is one bill which preoccupies the Chair. That is Bill C-214, an act to amend the Income Tax Act (qualifying environmental trust), standing in the name of the member for Calgary Centre.
The understanding of the Chair is that this bill may need to have been preceded by a ways and means motion.
As members know, there are certain constraints on changes to taxation measures in the absence of a ways and means motion. If a bill requires such a motion and one has not been adopted, according to our rules, the bill cannot remain on the Order Paper.
I therefore encourage hon. members who would like to make arguments regarding the requirement of a ways and means motion for Bill C-214 to do so at the earliest opportunity.
In this case, there is some urgency, as a bill requiring a ways and means motion cannot be debated and would be dropped from the Order Paper. The Chair would like to deliver a ruling on this bill as soon as possible. If a ruling has not been given when this bill reaches the top of the order of precedence, I will ask that it be dropped to the bottom of the list, in order to allow the member for Calgary Centre to substitute a new item in the event Bill C-214 is found to be out of order.
I thank hon. members for their attention.
I will not be taking any time away from the usual hour that is permitted for the taking up of Private Members' Business.