Special Debates / Emergency Debates

Leave refused: human embryo research; matter deemed not of sufficient urgency and another opportunity for debate available

March 11, 2002

Debates, p. 9472

On March 11, 2002, Rob Merrifield (Yellowhead) rose in the House to request that an emergency debate be held, pursuant to Standing Order 52, on human embryo research.^[1] Mr. Merrifield made reference to the decision by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to approve both research on and the destruction of human embryos, and to encourage such research by providing federal funding for it. He argued that the matter was urgent in that the CIHR had effectively pre-empted debate by allowing research on human embryos to begin before legislation was in place.

The Speaker ruled immediately, stating that, although he believed this was a matter of considerable importance, it did not appear, as required by the Standing Order, to be one of urgency. Noting that Thursday, March 14, 2002, would be an opposition day for the Member’s party and so an opportunity to raise the issue, the Speaker declined the request.

Decision of the Chair

The Speaker: The Chair has heard the submissions of the hon. Member and I had the advantage of course of reading the letter that he sent to me indicating his intention to raise this very important matter this afternoon.

I have no doubt that the matter is of considerable importance. The question that concerns the Chair is the one of urgency, and under the Standing Order I believe that in this case there does not appear to be urgency as required by the Standing Order.

I note also, without making any further comment on it, that there is an opposition day tomorrow and there is going to be another one on Thursday. It is the hon. Member’s party’s chance on Thursday and I know that he might want to see that the issue is brought forward at that time. Certainly he could do more on an opposition day with a motion than he could at an adjournment debate that I am allowed to grant under the Standing Order. Accordingly I must decline his request at this time.