Emergency Debates / Motions to Adjourn – Emergency Debates

Leave not granted/leave accepted; repetition of request on consecutive days

Debates, pp. 6876, 6916, 6941, 7003

Context

On December 13, 1989, Mr. Francis LeBlanc (Cape Breton Highlands­ Canso) rose pursuant to Standing Order 52 to ask for leave to move the adjournment of the House to discuss recent and anticipated fish plant closings in the Atlantic fishery.[1] The Speaker denied leave for the emergency debate. The following day, December 14, 1989, Mr. LeBlanc once again sought an emergency debate on this matter,[2] and leave was again denied, on this occasion by the Deputy Speaker. On December 15, 1989, Mr. LeBlanc once again sought an emergency debate on this matter and leave was granted by the Speaker.[3] The decisions of the Chair Occupants on those three days are reproduced below.

DECISIONS OF THE CHAIR

Mr. Speaker: The honourable Member for Cape Breton Highlands—Canso has raised a matter in which he is petitioning the Chair to set aside the ordinary business of the day and proceed to an emergency debate on an issue which is a very serious one.

I think all honourable Members can understand perfectly why the honourable Member, coming from that part of the country, is raising this matter.

A great deal of anxiety has already been indicated in this Chamber by other honourable Members on both sides of the House. There was very extensive debate today on the matter. That debate may very well continue in Question Period and other places. I will be watching with very great care the questions and the responses of the Government.

Under the circumstances I am not going to order a debate today. The honourable Member may have good reason to apply at another time. I thank the honourable Member for bringing the matter to the attention of the House. As I have said, he is open to raise the matter again at another time.

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Marcel Danis): The matter raised by the Member for Cape Breton Highlands—Canso is no doubt a most serious and important matter. For that reason I will consider it before giving a decision, which I would intend to give at three o'clock....

The Chair received this morning an application under Standing Order 52 for an emergency debate. I have given careful consideration to the request made by the member for Cape Breton Highlands—Canso and at this time the debate will not be granted.

Mr. Speaker: I thank the honourable Member. As honourable Members will know, the honourable member for Cape Breton Highlands—Canso has been rising repeatedly with requests for an emergency debate on fisheries matters in the Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador. I am acceding to the request and I am setting the debate for eight o'clock on Monday night.

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1989-12-13

1989-12-14

1989-12-15

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[1] Debates, December 13, 1989, pp. 6875-6.

[2] Debates, December 14, 1989, p. 6916.

[3] Debates, December 15, 1989, p. 7003.