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Bill C-246

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 08, 2022
  • Bill C-246 is a proposed law to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 in relation to representation in the House of Commons. The bill states that the total number of members from the province of Quebec cannot be less than 25% of the total number of members in the House of Commons. This is to recognize the distinct status of Quebec and ensure its representation in the federal government.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • S1
  • S2
  • S3
  • RA
  • Yea (51)
  • Nay (263)
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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,
70-71 Elizabeth II, 2021-2022
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-246
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (representation in the House of Commons)
FIRST READING, February 8, 2022
Mr. Champoux
441098


SUMMARY

This enactment amends section 51 of the Constitution Act, 1867 to provide that the total number of members from the province of Quebec cannot be less than 25% of the total number of members in the House of Commons.
Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:
www.ourcommons.ca


1st Session, 44th Parliament,
70-71 Elizabeth II, 2021-2022
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-246
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (representation in the House of Commons)

Preamble

Whereas section 44 of the Constitution Act, 1982 gives Parliament exclusive authority to amend the Constitution of Canada in relation to the House of Commons;
Whereas, on December 11, 1995, the House of Commons adopted a motion encouraging all components of the legislative and executive branches of government to recognize Quebec as a distinct society and to be guided accordingly in their conduct;
Whereas, on November 24, 2006, the House of Commons adopted a motion recognizing that Quebeckers form a nation within a united Canada;
And whereas, on June 16, 2021, the House of Commons adopted a motion agreeing that section 45 of the Constitution Act, 1982 grants the provinces, including Quebec, exclusive jurisdiction to amend their respective constitutions and acknowledging the will of Quebec to enshrine in its constitution that Quebeckers form a nation, that French is the only official language of Quebec and that it is also the common language of the Quebec nation;
Now, therefore, Her Majesty, with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Short title
1This Act may be cited as the Constitution Act, 2022 (representation of Quebec).
30-31 Vict.‍, c. 3 (U.‍K.‍); 1982, c. 11 (U.‍K.‍)

Constitution Act, 1867

2Section 51 of the Constitution Act, 1867 is amended by adding the following after rule 4:
Start of inserted block
4.‍1After the application of rules 1 and 2 and section 51A, there shall in respect of Quebec be added any additional members needed so that, after the completion of the readjustment, the total number of members for that province is not less than 25% of the total number of members in the House of Commons.
End of inserted block
Interpretation
3A reference to the Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 is deemed to include a reference to this Act.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons