Bill C-20 · 37th Parliament · Paul Martin
An Act to change the names of certain electoral districts
Government bill. Became law.
- IntroducedFeb. 23, 2004
- Debated in principleFeb. 23, 2004
- Studied by a committeeDone
- Passed its first chamberFeb. 23, 2004
- Passed the second chamberMay 11, 2004
- Became lawMay 14, 2004
Leading supporters
Ranked by the part each played: who is responsible for the bill, who carried it, and who spoke for it most.
- Paul MartinPrime Minister
Who carries this bill
Arrows run from the person responsible to those who answer to them on this bill. The critic leads the Senate’s scrutiny and answers to no one on it.
Where members stand
Votes and debate for this bill have not been read yet.
How it changed on the way
The texts have not been compared yet.
How precisely it is written
preciseChallenging the law: HardDisputing a charge: Hard
The bill consists solely of numbered sections that each direct a single, exact name substitution in a specific paragraph of the 2003 representation order. No standards, discretion, or undefined terms appear.
Clear-cut
“substituting the name "Bonavista — Gander — Grand Falls — Windsor" for the name "Bona”
Each operative clause identifies the exact paragraph and supplies the precise old and new strings with no room for interpretation.“paragraph 2 of that part relating to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is amended”
References are limited to numbered paragraphs and provinces, creating an objective, mechanical test.“In the representation order declared in force by proclamation of August 25, 2003 under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act”
The source document and date are fixed, eliminating any need for further judgment.
Discretion. No power is delegated to ministers, officials or regulations; every change is enacted directly by the listed substitutions.
Challenging the law itself. The provisions contain no subjective language or broad grants that could engage Charter vagueness or overbreadth doctrines.
Disputing a charge under it. The statute imposes no duties or prohibitions on individuals, so disputes over compliance cannot arise.
Read by a language model from the royal assent text; every quoted phrase appears in the bill. A reading of the drafting, not legal advice.
Did it work?
no evaluation found
Who lobbied on it
No lobbying registration naming this bill is loaded.
Stages and dates from LEGISinfo.