ABSTRACT
In the past, the Speaker of the House of Commons has asserted the principle that the Estimates procedure is not to be used to seek new legislative authority. Pursuant to this principle, the Speaker has on occasion struck out items from the Estimates on the ground that they purported to amend legislation other than Appropriation Acts. Accordingly, normal legislation, prepared in accordance with this directive and subject to the regular Parliamentary procedure for passage, should be employed in preference to an item in the Estimates where an amendment to legislation other than an Appropriation Act is sought. In cases of doubt as to the propriety of including an item with legislative implications in the Estimates, departments should consult at an early stage with the Program Branch of the Treasury Board.
