Take-note debate

rdf:langString Take-note debate

rdf:langString Jean Chrétien

rdf:langString As I was saying in this House, yesterday, we are trying out an entirely new political process. 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. This procedure is without precedent. 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. It has been said, by some, that no vote will be taking place in this kind of debate. Since its purpose is to make views known to government before a decision is taken, it is quite naturally so.

rdf:langString House of Commons Debates

rdf:langString 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. When the members of the house have concluded the debate, the house moves on to other business, without a vote being taken. It is found in some parliaments based on the Westminster parliamentary system. The name comes from the first line of the motion initiating the debate: "That this House takes note of ...", followed by the issue to be discussed. 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. 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. Take-note debates are formally provided for in the rules of the British House of Lords and the Canadian House of Commons. The British House of Commons also has a procedural mechanism for take-note debates, although not under that name.