The process of debate begins when the Speaker, upon receipt of a motion in writing,

duly seconded, submits it to the House and proposes the question to determine if the
House wishes to adopt the motion. If the motion is one that is debatable, Members
may then be recognized to make speeches. The process of debate ends after the
motion has been considered, including amendments and sub-amendments, and the
original or amended motion is reread by the Speaker and the question for its adoption
is put to the House for a decision. The basic components in this process are the
motion and the question the motion being a proposal that the House do
something or express an opinion with regard to some matter; the question being the
mechanism used to ask the House if it agrees with the motion, first, when it is
proposed by the Speaker and, second, when it is put to the House for a decision at the
conclusion of debate.
As with all deliberative bodies, discussion in the House of Commons must
always be relevant to some definite proposal (or motion).

[1]

The House makes up its

mind on these specific proposals by deciding on questions put to it by the Speaker.

Without a motion and a question, there can be no debate.

[2]

Once a question has

been proposed by the Speaker, debate may take place. The Speaker has extensive
powers to enforce the rules of debate which are, in general, limitations on what may
be said, when and by whom, and for how long in order to guide the flow of debate
and protect it from excess. [3]
During the process of debate, the House follows a basic sequence of steps:
providing notice of the motion, moving and seconding the motion, proposing the
question from the Chair, debating the motion, putting the question on the motion, and
arriving at a decision on the motion. This chapter describes the steps of this
sequence, including rules and practices of the House in connection with each one.