B001_E

Bill 1 1998

An Act to perpetuate an

Ancient Parliamentary Right

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Purpose

1. This Bill is introduced prior to consideration of the Throne Speech to perpetuate the established right of Parliament, through the representatives elected by the people, to sit and act without leave from the Crown.

Assertion of right

2. This Bill, therefore, asserts the right of this Legislative Assembly to give precedence to matters other than those expressed by the Sovereign.

History

3. This practice dates back to the reign of Elizabeth I, when on March 22, 1603, (just two days before her death), Parliament made this assertion of independence from the Crown for the purposes of legislation.

Pro forma Bill

4. The practice of introducing a pro forma Bill, followed in certain other Parliamentary jurisdictions, is adopted to explain and record the constitutional importance of the first Bill.

Copyright © 1998

Office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Toronto, Ontario, Canada.