December 11, 1867

NON-CONFIDENCE MOTION

The government of Sir John A. Macdonald faced down a divided opposition yesterday after Hon. Antoine Dorion (Liberal, Hochelaga) moved an amendment to the Supply motion that, while granting supply, criticized the government for failing to produce a Statement of the Estimates for the supply being requested. The motion read:

That this House, while cheerfully granting the supplies required for the public service, regrets that there should have been a departure from the long established and wise constitutional practice of basing appropriations of public money for the ordinary public service of the year upon detailed statements submitted by the Crown, and it cannot but regard with profound disapprobation a proceeding which tends to subvert the surest safeguard of the rights and liberties of the public, namely, the complete control over the expenditure by the representatives of the people.

Hon. Sir George-Étienne Cartier (Militia), on behalf of the government, declared that the motion could be seen as nothing short of want-of-confidence and would treat it as such.

Through the debate it appeared there would be little support for the motion and there appeared a willingness on the part of the government to allow it to be withdrawn. They did not, Cartier said, take issue with members expressing their unhappiness with the government but that a motion such as this was gravely irresponsible considering the importance of having supply granted at this point.

It was only after Luther Holton (Liberal, Châteauguay) said that the Minister of Militia had admitted that the government was behaving unconstitutionally that the die was cast. The minister had admitted no such thing, the prime minister said, and the accusation could not be left to stand — a vote must be had.

The amendment was defeated on a division with just 21 members supporting it and 115 voting against it.

GALT STILL LURKS

Though no longer a member of the government, former finance minister Hon. Alexander Galt (Liberal-Conservative, Sherbrooke) still casts a long shadow as his successor Hon. John Rose learned yesterday.

Galt rose to question figures relating to the floating debt presented by Rose in his financial statement made two days ago, pointing out that the debt of the Dominion was in fact $1,000,000 lower than reported.

Rose said the figures contained in the report had been provided to him by departmental officials.

Hon. Luther Holton (Liberal, Châteauguay) joined the fray saying he was gratified to learn that the country was richer than it was yesterday but hoped that we would not learn tomorrow of another error that would deprive the Dominion of the new found wealth.

The prime minister could not redirect the attention of the House away from this fast enough.

TARIFFF BILL

Hon. Samuel Tilley (Inland Revenue) has introduced _An Act imposing Duties of Customs, with the Tariff of Duties Payable Under It_. According to the Minister, the substance of the Bill is that which was in force in the Province of Canada and includes amendments to enact the same in the Maritime Provinces.

OFFICIAL REPORTING OF DEBATES

The members have voted 86 to 72 to ask the Printing Committee to produce a formal report and recommendation on the production of an official report of the proceedings of Parliament.

The vote reveals a deep division within the Chamber between those who believe an official record is important for those who attend to the business of Parliament and who wish that the reports not be left to the partisan journalists who will favour some members while seeking to damage others.

The contrary side worries that an official report will result in longer speeches and attempts to hang political opponents with their own words.
The motion to ask the committee for a formal recommendation was a compromise put forward by the prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald who said the government would leave the matter in the hands of the members and the division should be considered a test on whether the House agreed in principle on having an official record.