

Since its purpose is to make views known to government before a decision is taken, it is quite naturally so. It has been said, by some, that no vote will be taking place in this kind of debate. I hope members will try their very best to make it efficient in order to allow the expression of views, after which the government will decide. In the past, members were always asked to comment after the fact which meant, for someone in the opposition, to oppose a decision, once it was already too late to have a real influence on the government's decision. Prime Minister Chrétien commented on the purpose of the new approach: Īs I was saying in this House, yesterday, we are trying out an entirely new political process. The first take-note debate under the new rules was on the use of Canadian peace-keepers in Bosnia. Take-note debates were formally added to the standing orders of the House of Commons in 1993 and are more flexible than the rules for emergency debates. Prior to the introduction of take-note debates, the rules of the House of Commons allowed for emergency debates, which were similar in nature, but could only be held if the Speaker concluded that certain conditions were met.
#AGENDA TAKENOTE TRIAL#
In Canada, the first take-note debates were held in the federal House of Commons in the early 1990s on a trial basis, as "special debates". allow members to participate in the development of government policy, making their views known before the government makes a decision they allow the government to canvass the views of members." Canada Ĭhamber of the House of Commons of Canada

One committee of the Canadian House of Commons explained the purpose of the take-note debate, stating that this type of debate will ". This relaxation of normal rules is designed to ensure a broad debate on the issue, and one that is not subject to party discipline, since no vote is taken. As well, within the time limits, members may speak as many times as they wish, unlike some other types of parliamentary debates, where a member can only speak once. Īnother feature of a take-note debate is that no vote is taken at the end of the debate. The take-note debate is generally not subject to party discipline. ", followed by the issue to be discussed. The name comes from the first line of the motion initiating the debate: "That this House takes note of.
#AGENDA TAKENOTE HOW TO#
The take-note debate has evolved as a way to allow members of parliament to express their opinions on matters of public importance, prior to the cabinet making a decision on how to approach the issue. Although this approach ensures that legislation and government policy will be enacted, it can have the effect of restricting the ability of government backbenchers and the members of the opposition to influence government policy. In the Westminster system, the prime minister and cabinet generally control the legislative agenda, and votes in parliament are normally subject to party discipline. The British House of Commons also has a procedural mechanism for take-note debates, although not under that name. Take-note debates are formally provided for in the rules of the British House of Lords and the Canadian House of Commons. A government may institute a take-note debate to assist it in deciding on a course of action with respect to the issue under consideration, prior to introducing government policy measures or legislation. The purpose of a take-note debate is to allow the members of parliament to express their opinions on the issue, and for the members of the cabinet to assess the views of the house.

It is found in some parliaments based on the Westminster parliamentary system. When the members of the house have concluded the debate, the house moves on to other business, without a vote being taken. A take-note debate is a type of debate that allows members of a parliament to debate a matter of public policy, without making any decision.
