Adjournment Motion / Proposed under Standing Order 26 - Application not Accepted

Debate not urgent; other opportunities for debate

Debates p. 12121

Background

Mr. Manly (Cowichan—Malahat—The Islands) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss "skyrocketing unemployment in Canada's forest industry... which means disaster for the communities that depend on the forest industry for their livelihood." The Speaker ruled immediately.

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

As indicated in a precedent, "it is not envisaged that (Standing Order 26] ought to be used to bring what are considered crises from individual constituencies or industries before the House"; "the Chair has often been in a difficult position when attempting to adjudicate upon [such] matters". Nevertheless, "economic problems are of a continuing nature and do not justify the allowance of debate of an emergency nature." Since there are four allotted days remaining in the supply period, the issue can always be raised at that time.

Sources cited

Debates, February 13, 1978, pp. 2786-7; October 14, 1981, pp. 11747-8.