Ruling
September 20, 2010
Leave refused: mandatory long form census; matter deemed not of sufficient urgency and another opportunity for debate available
Hon. Peter Milliken
Speaker of the House
Ruling Text
The Speaker:
I thank the hon. Member for Toronto–Danforth for raising this matter. His letter on this subject came in, as I recall, on August 16. While I might have had considerable sympathy at that time, had the House been sitting, given the length of time we have had without the House in session, I feel that some of the urgency has gone out of this issue, at least with respect to the need for an emergency debate in the House.
I note that there will be an opposition day within the next 10 days. When that happens, if Members feel it is an urgent priority, it could be moved as a subject matter for debate on that day or on a subsequent opposition day. That might be a more suitable forum for discussion on a topic that has been around for quite some time.
I do not underestimate the importance of the matter. I simply say that at this stage it is not something that meets the exigencies of the Standing Order relating to emergency debates. Accordingly I deny the request at this time.
Edit Metadata
Holding
"The request for an emergency debate on the mandatory long-form census is denied as the matter is not of sufficient urgency to meet the requirements of the Standing Orders, especially given that another opportunity for debate will soon be available."
AI Summary
The Speaker denied a request for an emergency debate on the census, citing a lack of urgency and the availability of an opposition day for debate.
AI Analysis
- Outcome
- Denied
- Tone
- Conciliatory
- Procedural Stage
- Routine Proceedings
- Significance
Low
High