Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Not Accepted

Other opportunities for debate

Debates pp. 1305-6

Background

Mr. Howard (Skeena) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss "the statement made yesterday by the Prime Minister (Mr. Trudeau) that his Government is prepared to negotiate the matter of aboriginal and/or land claims with a specific group of Indian people, and the effect this will have upon all Indian and Eskimo people in Canada".

Issue

Does the application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

No. The application is not accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

This issue is obviously of continuing concern to Members as is evidenced by the several requests which the Chair has already turned down. It is necessary, however, to take into account the fact that the annual report of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has been referred by a unanimous decision of the House to the Standing Committee for the purpose of considering aboriginal rights. While this by itself does not justify refusing the request for an emergency debate, there is also the fact that there are other opportunities available for debate in the near future.

References

Debates, February 8, 1973, pp. 1074-5; February 14, 1973, p. 1272.