Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Not Accepted

Matter not urgent; other opportunities for debate

Debates p. 1681

Background

Mr. Woolliams (Calgary North) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss "the action of the Treasury Board in downgrading the senior-officer positions in the Auditor General's office". Mr. Woolliams claimed that this was a "sinister" attack on the office of the Auditor General.

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

"The word 'emergency' used in relation to Standing Order 26 has always been interpreted to refer to a sudden occurrence, a newly arising situation." In this case, "the situation referred to in the proposed motion goes back to July, 1967". There is also "the possibility that the matter might be debated in other circumstances". Moreover, "such a debate should take place as part of a discussion on a substantive motion rather than within the somewhat limited framework provided under Standing Order 26".

References

Debates, April 6, 1970, p. 5508; April 13, 1970, pp. 5755-6.