Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Not Accepted

Debate not urgent

Debates p. 4775

Background

Mr. Yewchuk (Athabasca) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss the current "disruption of rail traffic and its present consequences, particularly on the movement of grain to meet Canada's export commitments". In making his request, Mr. Yewchuk outlined the various related topics he proposed to debate on the adjournment motion.

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The statement of a Member in requesting an emergency debate should not go beyond the notice given to the Chair. Nonetheless, because the issue raised is so important, it should not be judged exclusively by its defective form. As the Chair indicated in reply to an earlier request for a similar debate, a question may be discussed only once in a session, according to Standing Order 26. It is therefore necessary that the Chair and Members ensure "that the debate, if one is permitted under Standing Order 26, should come at the appropriate time". The Chair is not convinced that it would be to the advantage of Parliament and the country for an emergency debate to take place at this time.

References

Debates, March 29, 1971, p. 4679.