Precedence and Sequence of Business / Division Bells

October 17, 1985

Debates p. 7722

During debate on a motion for time allocation pursuant to Standing Order 82, at second reading of Bill C-79 (Financial Institutions Depositors Compensation Act), Mr. Ravis (Saskatoon East) moved that the House sit through the lunch hour, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., in order to continue consideration of the motion under debate, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 9(4)(a). Mr. Ravis’ motion was adopted, and debate continued.

At 1:05 p.m., the Acting Speaker (Mr. Charest) announced that the two hours provided for debate on the motion for time allocation had expired and put the question. Members were then called in for a recorded division. While the bells rang, a point of order was raised concerning the length of time the bells should continue. Mr. Gray (Windsor West) and Mr. Deans ( Hamilton Mountain) held that since business had been taken beyond regular sitting hours, the 15-minute rule did not apply and the bells should ring until the whips returned to the Chamber; Mr. Hnatyshyn (President of the Privy Council) countered that the vote was only to conclude business which had been continued, and therefore the 15-minute rule should apply.

Issue

If the time provided for consideration of a motion expires when the sitting has been extended by a motion adopted under Standing Order9(4), does the 15-minute rule apply, or do the division bells continue to ring until the party whips are ready to come in?

Decision

The bells are to ring for no more than 15 minutes.

Reasons given by the Acting Speaker

The Standing Orders seem to indicate that the bells are to ring for a period of no more than 15 minutes. This may be a question for discussion by the Standing Committee on Procedure and Organization.