Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Accepted

Urgent issue

Debates p. 1676

Background

Mr. Aiken (Parry Sound-Muskoka) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss "the federal involvement in the James Bay hydro-electric development project of the province of Quebec and particularly (a) interference with and relocation of Indians; (b) altering the course of navigable waters protected under the Navigable Waters Protection Act; and (c) effects upon the total Canadian environment".

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

Yes. The application is accepted. [Following consultations, the Speaker announced that the debate would be scheduled for 2:00 p.m. the next day.]

Reasons given by the Speaker

While all the requirements of the Standing Order may not have been met, the obvious importance of the matter and the equally obvious interest of so many Members incline the Chair to give this request the benefit of the doubt. "The rules give the Chair some discretion in the timing of a debate." This decision will be made following consultations in order to accommodate the relatively important and urgent consideration of government business already scheduled for today.

References

Journals, April 27, 1972, p. 261.

Debates, April 27, 1972, p. 1695.