The status of Bill C-304

Bill C-304, an Act to ensure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians
C-304

Libby Davies’ private member Bill C-304 to enact an national housing plan, to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, has had one hour of debate of third reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday October 20, 2010. The bill still needs one more hour of debate before it is called to a vote.

The BQ have amended the bill to require the bill to returned to committee to consider further amendments on the question of provincial jurisdiction.

As MP Libby Davies states on her blog: “Getting a Private Members Bill through Parliament is no easy task and there are many potential procedural and political roadblocks to overcome. C-304 is no exception, and it’s been an eye opener to navigate and resolve various issues and problems. But so far, so good!”
Libby Davies

On November 24, 2010 the following BQ amendment was passed in the House of Commons:

“That the motion be amended by deleting all the words after the word “That” and substituting the following: “Bill C-304, An Act to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians, be not now read a third time but be referred back to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities for the purpose of reconsidering Clauses 3 and 4, or to add new clauses, with a view of clarifying the role of provinces, specifically Quebec, within the jurisdiction of the Bill.”.

So, Bill C-304 goes back to a committee and still needs to come back to House for one more hour of debate and for another vote.

One can track the status of the bill on openparliament.ca atbill c-304 @ openparliament.ca

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