Ruling
June 22, 1992
Leave granted; Speaker determines timing of debate to take into account other House decisions
Hon. John Fraser
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
Mr. Speaker:
The honourable Member for Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte some days ago, also the honourable Member for Nanaimo-Cowichan (Mr. David Stupich), and subsequently 40 other Members have indicated their wish that there be an emergency debate with respect to the situation resulting from the difficulties in the northern cod fishery.
I notice that the request is that these Canadians urgently require an indication of the kind of short-term and long-term strategies the Government will employ, et cetera.
I have listened very carefully over several days to the questions and the answers. There is no question that the matter is of importance and concern to all Members of the House.
After careful consideration, under the provisions of Standing Order 52, I am in a position to grant the request for an emergency debate today. However, the House is in a quandary as it adopted last June 9 an order to extend the hours of sitting until 10 p.m. In addition, earlier today the House agreed to a motion for time allocation on Bill C-86, An Act to amend the Immigration Act and other acts in consequence thereof, which would require, if necessary, an interruption 15 minutes before the expiry of time provided for Government Business, namely 9:45 p.m.
While Standing Order 52 governing Emergency Debates states that such a debate be held at 8 p.m. until midnight, I have also gone back and looked at the McGrath report. In light of the spirit of the McGrath report, which sought to allow for Emergency Debates without infringing on the time of the House, I am prepared to set down for debate at 10 p.m. the matter raised by the honourable Member and Members.
This debate will conclude at no later than 12 midnight, as specified by the Standing Orders.
F0819-e 34-3 1992-06-22.
[1]
Debates, June 17, 1992, pp. 12247-8; June 18, 1992, p. 12328; June 19, 1992, pp. 12453-4.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The request for an emergency debate on the northern cod fishery is granted under Standing Order 52, but the debate will commence at 10 p.m. and conclude at midnight to respect prior House orders regarding sitting hours and time allocation."
AI Summary
The Speaker granted an emergency debate on the northern cod fishery but adjusted the start time to 10 p.m. to resolve conflicts with existing House orders on extended sitting hours and time allocation.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Sustained
- Tone
- Educational
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High