Motions Without Notice Proposed Under Standing Order 43 / Application of the Rule

Argument

Debates p. 413

Background

Mr. Peddle (Grand Falls-White Bay-Labrador) sought unanimous consent to present, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, a motion concerning family income security. Before presenting his motion, he made allegations about the low priority this issue had been given by the Government. At this point the Speaker intervened. After comments from several Members, the Speaker again explained why he had intervened. Mr. Peddle then asked for unanimous consent to waive notice for his motion.

Issue

Can allegations be made prior to seeking unanimous consent to move a motion under Standing Order 43?

Decision

No. Standing Order 43 does not provide Members an opportunity to make allegations or statements of fact or alleged fact in seeking unanimous consent to waive notice for a motion.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The introduction of a motion under Standing Order 43 should be limited to a brief statement concerning the urgency of the motion, and should not be used to submit arguments. A motion may be submitted under this Standing Order only if the matter in question is of such urgency that the time-honoured, traditional provision for notice given for any motion proposed to the House, whether by the Government, Opposition or a private Member, cannot be followed.

Sources cited

Standing Order 43.