Naval Aid Bill

Naval Aid Bill
An Act to authorize measures for increasing the effective naval forces of the Empire.
Considered by	Parliament of Canada
Legislative history
Introduced by	Robert Borden
First reading	December 5, 1912
Third reading	May 15, 1913
Status: Not passed

The Naval Aid Bill was a bill introduced in the Canadian House of Commons, by Conservative Prime Minister Robert Borden on December 5, 1912.

At the urging of the First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, Prime Minister Borden agreed to finance the construction of three dreadnoughts for $35 million.^[1] This plan was far more costly than Laurier's original plan for the Canadian-built fleet, and would reap no benefits to Canadian industries whatsoever. On December 5, 1912, Borden introduced the Naval Aid Bill as a one-time contribution to Britain's navy. After a bitter debate and a long filibuster by the opposition Liberals, the Borden government invoked cloture on the debate, for the first time ever in Canadian Parliament, on May 15, 1913. The Act was soundly defeated by the Liberal-majority Senate two weeks later.

2nd Session, 12 Parliament, 3 George V., 1912-13

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, CANADA

Bill 21

An Act to authorize measures for increasing the effective naval forces of the Empire.

HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:-

1. This Act may be cited as The Naval Aid Act.

2. From and out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Canada there may be paid and applied a sum not exceeding thirty-five million dollars for the purpose of immediately increasing the effective naval forces of the Empire.

3. That said sum shall be used and applied under the direction of the Governor in Council in the construction and equipment of battleships or armoured cruisers of the most modern and powerful type.

4. The said ships when constructed and equipped shall be placed by the Governor in Council at the disposal of His Majesty for the common defence of the Empire.

5. The said sum shall be paid, used and applied and the said ships shall be constructed and placed at the disposal of His Majesty subject to such terms, conditions and arrangements as may be agreed upon between the Governor in Council and His Majesty's Government.

—cquote

^[2]

References