Adjournment Motion Proposed under Standing Order 26 / Application Accepted

Urgent issue

Journals p. 396

Debates pp. 3127-9

Background

On February 22, Mr. Clark (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 declining value of the dollar. A similar motion was also presented by Mr. Broadbent (Oshawa—Whitby).

Issue

Do the applications satisfy the provisions of Standing Order 26?

Decision

The applications are accepted. A motion subsequently moved in the name of Mr. Clark was seconded by Mr. Broadbent at the suggestion of the Speaker.

Reasons given by the Speaker

Despite some doubt as to the application of the specific word "emergency", the Chair decided to give the benefit of doubt to the applicants and to allow the House to debate the matter.

If one applied too strict an interpretation to the terms of Standing Order 26, "it would be almost impossible to get the benefit of this rule".