Emergency Debates / Motions to Adjourn – Emergency Debates

Application not accepted; does not call for immediate and urgent consideration; guidelines - notice

October 17, 1986

Debates, p. 471

On October 17, 1986, Mr. Steven Langdon (Essex—Windsor) rose pursuant to Standing Order 29 to ask for leave to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing the ruling of an American agency with respect to Canadian forestry industry exports. The Member briefly explained the importance of such a debate being held. Speaker Fraser indicated he would return to the House shortly with a decision.^[1]

Decision of the Chair

Mr. Speaker: I indicated to the House that I would try not to delay, overly long, giving a ruling on the application of the honourable Member for Essex—Windsor under Standing Order 29 for an emergency debate relating to the ruling of an American agency with respect to the Canadian forest industry exports.

I also indicated that while I did not receive the minimum notice required by Standing Order 29, there is, in important matters, a discretion allowed the Chair to not see the clock. I extended that courtesy to the honourable Member, and I am sure that the House would approve that that discretion be used sparingly perhaps, but under the appropriate circumstances.

In considering an application of this kind, the Chair must take three factors into account. The issue raised must constitute a genuine emergency. The Chair used that word in the sense that it is something which is of such urgency that it calls immediately for something to be done about it. It is not enough—and I would ask that the honourable Members understand this—that it be a matter of great importance. It is the view of the Chair that the issue is of great importance, but the issue must call for immediate and urgent consideration. The Chair must also take into consideration whether or not there will be other opportunities to debate the matter, and other opportunities within a reasonable period of time.

Under all the circumstances, while the Chair does recognize the great importance to Canada of this matter, the Chair must find that the application does not meet the requirements of the Standing Order.

I do want to thank the honourable Member for proposing the motion and for expressing in explicit terms the reasons for that motion. I thank honourable Members for patiently hearing the Chair's response, and also for patiently listening to the honourable Member who presented the application.

F0801-e

33-2

1986-10-17