Adjournment Motion Proposed Under Standing Order 26 / Application Accepted

No other opportunity for debate

April 2, 1973

Journals pp. 235-6

Debates pp. 2850, 2870-1

Mr. Lewis (York South) sought leave to move the adjournment of the House, under the provisions of Standing Order 26, in order to discuss "the decision of the Canadian Transport Commission to grant Bell Canada almost all the rate increases it requested... and the need for the Government to suspend the application of the decision immediately and to consider rescinding it as unacceptable and contrary to the public interest".

Issue

Does this application meet the requirements of Standing Order 26?

Decision

Yes. The application is accepted.

Reasons given by the Speaker

A request under this Standing Order provides for "an open-ended debate with no motion before the House except the motion to adjourn". In view of the importance and interest in this matter it would be better perhaps to consider it by a substantive motion rather than under a motion to adjourn the House. This is, however, a borderline case and since there is no reasonable expectation of an early debate, the Chair is inclined to give the Member the benefit of the doubt.