Selected Decisions of Speaker Lucien Lamoureux 1966 – 1974
Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Accepted
Debate urgent
Debates p. 6496
Background
Mr. Stanfield (Leader of the Opposition) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss "the uncontrolled inflationary pressures exemplified by the cost of living figures released by Statistics Canada this morning, combined with the increase in interest rates announced yesterday". The Speaker noted that he had also received a notice from Mr. Broadbent (Oshawa-Whitby) on the same subject. Toking into account the fact that the motion of Mr. Stanfield was proposed in broader terms and that he had a special position in the House, the Speaker proposed to give preference to Mr. Stanfield's motion.
Issue
Does this application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?
Decision
Yes. The application is accepted.
Reasons given by the Speaker
Despite some hesitation to put a motion founded primarily on the regular monthly reports of Statistics Canada, there are in this instance special circumstances to justify an emergency debate which would take into account the statistical report on which the Leader of the Opposition has based his motion. This motion will be put on the understanding that the scope of the debate will encompass the subject-matter proposed by Mr. Broadbent, thus giving him a "special position in this debate".
References
Journals, September 13, 1973, pp. 553-4.