Senate Rules of Procedure at a Glance

This list contains the most common procedural motions required for Senate taken from the Rules of Procedure and Bourinot’s Rules of Order – Standford, Revised 4th Ed.

To do this:	You say this:	Can you interrupt the speaker?	Must you be seconded?	Is the motion debatable?	Is the motion amendable?	What majority is required?
Move a motion	I move…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Change a motion (You may not amend to negate)	I move that the motion be amended to read…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
End debate on a motion	1. I call the question 2. I move that council proceed to the next order of business	1. No 2. No	1. Yes 2. Yes	1. Yes 2. No	1. No 2. No	1. Motions be debated at next meeting/motion fails 2. Majority
End the meeting	I move that the meeting adjourn	No	Yes	No	No	Majority
Consider something out of its scheduled order	I move the agenda be amended in order to deal with the following item…	No	Yes	No	No	Majority
Postpone further discussion on motion until later in the meeting	I move that the motion be tabled until…	No	Yes	Yes - only to time	Yes	Majority
Postpone consideration of a motion until future meeting	I move that the motion be postponed until…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Have motion studied more before voting	I move the motion be referred to…	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Majority
Raise matter previously tabled	I move that the motion about… be lifted from table	No	Yes	No	No	Majority
Reconsider motion already voted on in meeting	I move that the motion about… be reconsidered at the next meeting and provide written notice requesting that the matter be raised at next meeting	No	Yes	Yes	No	2/3 Majority
Object to something which prevents your continued participation	Point of privilege	Yes	No	No	No	No vote taken, Chair rules
Seek clarification from previous speaker	Point of Information	Yes (if urgent)	No	No	No	No vote taken, Chair rules
Overturn ruling of the chair	I challenge the chair on…	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Majority
Enquire about procedures or consequences	Point of Order	Yes	No	Yes, only on the point	No	No vote taken, Chair rules
Object to incorrect procedure being used	Point of Order	yes	No	Yes, only on the point	No	No vote taken, Chair rules

Suspend Rules of Procedures: 2/3 of members present must vote in favour

Amend or Repeal Rules of Procedure: Notice of Motion (Section 17)

Extend the duration of the meeting: 2/3 of members present must vote in favour

Speaking: 1 time only, maximum 10 minutes, Mover has a right of reply after all others have spoken

Request division of motion: Motions consisting of multiple actions which are not integrally linked shall be divided for the purpose of voting at the request of any member.

Move to Committee of the Whole: Section 19

Move to Informal Session: Section 20