Adjournment Motion / Proposed under Standing Order 26 - Application not Accepted

Debate not urgent; other opportunities for debate

Debates p.7928

Background

Mr. Broadbent (Oshawa) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss a report issued by the Director of Investigation and Research (Combines Investigation Branch) on competition in the Canadian petroleum industry, which according to Mr. Broadbent proved that the Canadian consumer was the victim of price gouging. The Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"Matters of this nature, having been referred either to the courts or to an administrative body, are not proper subjects for debate in this House under the terms of Standing Order 26". Moreover, this matter has been referred to the Restrictive Trade Practices Commission. Furthermore, it is not certain that "a report, even on a very important subject, constitutes an emergency". Lastly, the matter has already been the subject of oral questions, and it could be brought before the House during allotted days or in committees considering the recently tabled Main and Supplementary Estimates.

Sources cited

Debates, March 4, 1981, pp. 7875-80, 7882-3; March 5, 1981, pp. 7913-8.

References

Debates, March 5, 1981, pp. 7927-8.