Clause-by-clause consideration

Clause-by-clause consideration is the consideration of a bill (a legislative proposal) on an in-depth basis, considering each clause in a separate division of debate. This phase of consideration is generally seen to be the most scrutinous and technical in nature.

Clause-by-clause consideration in Canada

Clause-by-clause consideration in Canada takes place in a committee designated to study the bill in question. Generally speaking, clause-by-clause consideration in committee takes place in-between the second and third readings of the bill; however, the House of Commons (or the Senate, as the case may be) do have the authority to refer a bill to a committee before the second reading stage has been completed. While studying the clauses of the bill, the committee can choose to adopt them, delete them, or amend them. However, any amendments made must remain true to the principal goal of the bill (unless the bill has not yet passed second reading in the House).

Reporting the consideration to the House

After considering the clauses of the bill, a committee must report the bill back to the House either "with amendment" (where any range of minor, major or sweeping changes may have been made), or "without amendment" (in exactly the same form in which the bill was originally referred). If amendments were made, then the House resolves itself into a Committee of the Whole in order to consider the committee's recommendations. The House can, and often does, change, overrule in part, or entirely ignore the recommendations of a committee.

Special provisions for financial bills

If a committee fails to return a budget, or a bill that would appropriate funds to the House with its report of recommendations by a deadline defined in the Standing Orders of the House in question, then any recommendations of the committee would be deemed to have been withdrawn and the bill will be deemed to have been reported back to the House, without any amendments. This convention is in place in order to prevent a committee from attempting to withhold supply from the Government of Canada.