Legal Definitions - parliamentary motion

A parliamentary motion is a formal proposal made by a member of a legislative body, such as a parliament, congress, or assembly, to introduce a subject for debate, consideration, or decision. It is the procedural mechanism used to bring specific matters before the legislative body for discussion and a vote, allowing the body to take action or express an opinion.

Here are some examples illustrating a parliamentary motion:

• Example 1: Proposing New Legislation

  Imagine a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons stands up and formally states, "I move that leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish a national framework for renewable energy development."

  This is a parliamentary motion because the MP is formally proposing a specific action—the introduction of a new piece of legislation—for the legislative body to consider, debate, and potentially vote on. It initiates the process for a new law to be discussed.

• Example 2: Requesting a Procedural Action

  During a lengthy and heated debate on a government budget, a senator from the opposition party formally declares, "I move that this House do now adjourn."

  This constitutes a parliamentary motion as the senator is formally proposing a procedural action—to end the current session—that requires the legislative body's consideration and a vote. Such a motion can be used to pause proceedings or to express dissatisfaction with the current debate.

• Example 3: Referring a Matter to a Committee

  After a minister delivers a statement about a new public health crisis, another representative formally proposes, "I move that the Minister's statement on public health be referred to the Standing Committee on Health for detailed review and recommendations."

  This is a parliamentary motion because the representative is making a formal proposal to direct a specific action—sending the matter to a specialized committee for further investigation and expert input—for the legislative body to decide upon, initiating a procedural step in the legislative process.