Emergency Debates / Motions to Adjourn – Emergency Debates

Guidelines: Speaker not bound to give reasons for decision; leave not granted

September 22, 1987

Debates, pp. 9172-3

On September 22, 1987, Hon. Robert Kaplan (York Centre) rose for the second time^[1] within a week pursuant to Standing Order 29 to ask for leave to move the adjournment of the House to discuss the crisis in public confidence in the Government's ability to maintain national security and a satisfactory security and intelligence service.^[2] The Speaker ruled immediately on the application.

Decision of the Chair

Mr. Speaker: I listened very carefully to the honourable Member for whom the Chair has great respect, especially on these matters. I am very conscious of the fact that a few days ago a similar motion was made and at that time the Chair did not accede to it.

The reform committee, in dealing with matters of Emergency Debates, was very clear in the fact that in its wisdom it was not appropriate for the Speaker to give reasons for either allowing an emergency debate or rejecting one. The wisdom of that committee lay in the fact that any reasons the Speaker gives from time to time builds up a kind of jurisprudence of its own and becomes the subject of debate in the Chamber. As a consequence, tempted though I may be to give reasons, I will follow the wisdom of the reform committee and not do so.

However, I draw to the attention of all honourable Members the following words in the rule.

The right to move the adjournment of the House for the above purpose is subject to the following conditions:

(a) the matter proposed for discussion must relate to a genuine emergency, calling for immediate and urgent consideration;

I have commented at another time on what is an urgent consideration.

The honourable Member certainly proposes a matter of extreme importance, but I am not satisfied today that it is a matter of urgency. As I said to the honourable Member when he rose and put forward a very precise and cogent request a few days ago, in deciding that it is not appropriate at this time does not mean that the door is closed. This is a matter of ongoing importance to the entire country. Most certainly there may be circumstances under which it would be appropriate for the honourable Member or other honourable Members to raise the matter again.

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1987-09-22