Private Bill Notice Requirements

Summary#

This item reproduces Standing Order 130 of the House of Commons and explains how people or groups who want a private bill in Parliament must give public notice. It was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 154, on September 19, 2020.

What it does#

• Requires anyone applying to Parliament for a private bill to publish a clear notice in the Canada Gazette saying the nature and object of the application. The notice must be signed and include the signer’s address. If the application is for incorporation, the proposed company’s name must be shown.
• Says that when proposed works are claimed to be “for the general advantage of Canada,” applicants must also send a registered letter to the clerk of each county or municipality that may be affected and to the provincial secretary where the works are or will be located.
  • Those registered letters must be mailed so they arrive not later than two weeks before the committee considers the proposed bill. Applicants must prove they complied by statutory declaration.
• Requires additional newspaper publication in specific cases. Examples:
  • Railway or canal companies: in the main city, town or village in each county/district the route crosses.
  • Telegraph or telephone companies: in the main city or town in each province or territory where the company plans to operate.
  • Companies building works that would specially affect a locality: in the localities that would be affected.
  • Banking, insurance, trust, loan or industrial companies (without exclusive powers): in the Canada Gazette only.
• Sets rules for notices about amendments (extensions, continuation of charters, changes to capital, etc.) with specific local publication requirements depending on the change.
• All notices (Gazette and newspaper) must be published at least once a week for a period of four consecutive weeks.
• Language rule: when a notice originates in Quebec or Manitoba, it must appear in English in an English newspaper and in French in a French newspaper, and appear in both languages in the Canada Gazette.
• If no newspaper exists in the required locality, the notice must appear in the next nearest place that has a newspaper.
• Applicants must file statutory declarations proving publication. Those declarations go to the Clerk of the House of Commons, endorsed “Private Bill Notice.”
• Contact info (for questions): Private Members’ Business Office, West Block, Room 314‑C, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6, phone 613‑992‑9511.

Who's affected#

• People, companies, or organizations that want Parliament to pass a private bill.
• Common examples include groups seeking incorporation by private act, companies building railways, canals, telegraph/telephone lines, or those asking for exclusive rights or local works.
• Municipalities, counties and provincial officials in localities that could be affected by proposed works may also be contacted as part of this process.
• If it’s unclear whether a proposed bill falls into a specific category, the applicant or the House’s office would need to be consulted.

Why it matters#

• These rules make sure proposed private bills are publicly announced so affected communities and interested parties can learn about them and object if needed.
• For applicants, following these steps is a basic requirement before Parliament will consider a private bill.
• For local governments, property owners and neighbours, the notices provide a predictable way to find out about projects that could affect their area.