Special Debates / Emergency Debates
Leave refused: matter under investigation by an administrative body
Debates, p. 5516
Context
On February 27, 2012, Bob Rae (Toronto Centre) rose to request that an emergency debate be held, pursuant to Standing Order 52,[1] on the conduct of the 2011 general election. Mr. Rae contended that such a debate was necessary because of the concerns raised on the subject, both nationwide and during Oral Questions that day. Mr. Rae reminded the House that it had passed a motion by unanimous consent earlier in the day calling on Members to provide any and all information associated with this matter.[2]
Immediately thereafter, Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands) requested that an emergency debate be held on the same topic. To support her request, she highlighted several precedents and gave an example illustrating that the matter need not be an emergency or a crisis to be worthy of an emergency debate, but that it must be immediately relevant and of attention and concern throughout the nation.[3]
Resolution
The Speaker delivered his ruling immediately. He began by reminding the House that applications for emergency debate could not be debated. As a result, he could not hear André Bellavance (Richmond—Arthabaska), who rose following Ms. May’s statement intending to participate in the debate. He then ruled that an emergency debate would not be granted in this case because an administrative body was already investigating the matter.
Decision of the Chair
The Speaker: There is no debate on applications for emergency debate, and not having received notice of request for one from the Member for Richmond—Arthabaska, I cannot hear the Member at this time.
I have no doubt that Members take these concerns very seriously.
One of the criteria in O’Brien and Bosc in setting out how the Speaker determines whether or not to grant an emergency debate mentions that when matters are being investigated by other administrative bodies, they are generally rejected. Given the fact that it is my understanding that these matters are being investigated by Elections Canada at this time, I do not think it meets the criteria for that reason.
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[1] See Appendix A, “Cited Provisions: Standing Orders of the House of Commons”, Standing Order 52.