Special Debates / Emergency Debates
Leave refused: auto industry; other opportunities for debate available
Debates, p. 293
Context
On November 26, 2008, Judy Sgro (York West) rose to request that an emergency debate be held, pursuant to Standing Order 52, on the auto industry. She argued that the United States would be making a decision the following week as to what kind of stimulus plan would be offered to the auto industry in that country, and that it was important that they know that Canada was working with them to that end. She noted that it had been predicted that 15,000 Canadian jobs would be lost if Canada did not work with the United States and that the industry was looking to Parliament for assistance.[1]
Resolution
The Speaker ruled immediately. He stated that it was unusual for an emergency debate to be granted during the debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne since Members are free to raise any subject they want during the course of that debate. He also noted that the Minister of Finance (Jim Flaherty) would be making a special financial statement the following day which might or might not deal with this issue, and that there were negotiations underway for the holding of a debate on the statement. He added that the following Monday would be an opposition day and that the Member’s party could raise the issue at that time. Accordingly, the Speaker declined the request.
Decision of the Chair
The Speaker: I thank the hon. Member for her submissions. I note first in response to her suggestions that it is most unusual for an emergency debate to be granted during the debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne since Members are free to raise any subject they want in the course of that debate and it is continuing today and tomorrow.
I also note that there will be a special statement from the Minister of Finance tomorrow which may or may not deal with this issue, but will certainly, I am sure, have some impact on it, given the nature of the current financial situation which the Minister intends to address apparently tomorrow at 4 o’clock. The House has agreed to a Special Order in respect of that.
I understand further there are discussions among the parties about the possibility of having a debate on the statement on Friday. I note that Monday is an opposition day for the party of which the hon. Member is a Member, so obviously the subject of debate on Monday could be chosen to be this one or any other that the party chooses to put forward. Accordingly, in the circumstances, I am not disposed to grant a request at this time, although I recognize that it is a very serious issue and recognize there are some issues on that point.
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