B-020: Constitutional Protection Act

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

The Honourable Gentleman states that this amendment will make this Republic less democratic without any explanation or argument. I, for one, would be anxious to hear it.

The Honourable Gentleman makes bold assertions about the Bathroom Bill that were thoroughly debunked during the debate on that legislation so I will not go into it further now. I will note with amusement however that only 34 members voted for that bill.

As to the amendment offered by the Honourable Gentleman, I make a point of order that the amendment contravenes Section VI.6 of the Standing Orders of Parliament which state:
 

 6. In order to pass, a question generally requires a simple majority vote in favor of the question, unless another threshold is established by law or the Standing Orders. In the event of a tie, the question fails.

Madam Speaker, given that there is no other threshold presently established for constitutional amendments by law at this time and given that there is not a 2/3rds requirement under the Standing Orders, this amendment to the bill seeks to achieve something that is not in order. He can, however, vote for this bill in order to ensure that, in future, this 2/3rds requirement is mandated by law.