Bill 1 2003

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 before 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 to at least 1558 and was codified by resolution of the House of Commons in 1604.

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.