C-246Constitution Act, 2022 (representation of Quebec)
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (representation in the House of Commons)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on February 8, 2022
- Status
- Defeated at second reading in the House of Commons
What it does
Amends the Constitution Act, 1867 so Quebec would have at least 25% of seats in the House of Commons after seat readjustment.
What it does
- Adds a rule to section 51 of the Constitution Act, 1867 that requires extra Quebec seats if needed so Quebec has at least 25% of all House of Commons members after readjustment.
- Keeps the total number of Quebec members from falling below one quarter of the House of Commons when seats are redistributed.
- Gives the bill the short title Constitution Act, 2022 (representation of Quebec).
Who it affects
- Quebec MPs
- Voters in Quebec
- House of Commons
- Federal electoral redistribution
Topics
Background
The bill amends section 51 of the Constitution Act, 1867, which sets the rules for how House of Commons seats are readjusted.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Defeated here. Defeated
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
2nd reading of Bill C-246, An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (representation in the House of Commons)
Vote 140,
Failed
51 yeato264 nay · 12 paired
Party breakdown for vote 140 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Nay 0 150 9 Conservative Nay 0 112 7 Bloc Yea 29 0 3 NDP Yea 21 0 4 Green Nay 0 2 0 Independent Yea 1 0 0 Total 51 264
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalKevin Lamoureux· March 24, 2022
“What is the need for Bill C-246, which is being proposed? The member already knows that members on the government side are committed to it, because we had the debate earlier this month, which the member even made reference to, where Liberal members from all regions of our country came forward saying that we need to ensure Quebec has that minimum number of seats going forward.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeTom Kmiec· March 24, 2022
“I am proud to join this debate as a francophone from western Canada to speak to Bill C‑246, which the Bloc Québécois member has introduced. He certainly has the right to have a debate.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocMartin Champoux· March 24, 2022
“I am honoured to rise this evening to speak to Bill C-246, an act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, regarding representation in the House of Commons, which I am sponsoring. Despite what many Canadians and perhaps Canada would like, there are fundamental differences and some deep incompatibilities, I would even say, between Quebeckers and Canadians.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPAlexandre Boulerice· March 24, 2022
“I am pleased to speak to the bill being studied this evening. However, I get the impression that it makes my colleagues from the Bloc Québécois and the Conservative Party a little nervous when we talk about the victories secured by the NDP.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Bill defeated. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.