Special Debates / Emergency Debates
Leave granted: events in Sri Lanka
Debates, p. 346
Context
On February 4, 2009, Jack Layton (Toronto–Danforth) rose to request that an emergency debate be held, pursuant to Standing Order 52, on the crisis in Sri Lanka. He emphasized the urgent, violent, deteriorating situation in the northern part of Sri Lanka with thousands of civilians under threat. He spoke of the need for Canada to call for a ceasefire, to take the lead in providing medical and humanitarian aid and to call for the United Nations to intervene in a direct way. He noted that other countries were already taking action and argued that Canada should be among them.[1]
Resolution
The Speaker ruled immediately. He noted that seven other Members had submitted similar requests. Having decided to grant the request, he said that he would not hear from the other applicants at that time since they would have the opportunity to speak in debate later that evening.
Decision of the Chair
The Speaker: I want to thank the hon. Member for Toronto–Danforth for his submission, which I am inclined to grant at this time.
I want to indicate that the Chair has received similar requests from seven other Members in the following order: the hon. Member [for][2] Toronto Centre, the hon. Member for York West, the hon. Member for Scarborough–Agincourt, the hon. Member for Beaches–East York, the hon. Member for Don Valley West, the hon. Member for Scarborough Southwest and the hon. Member for Etobicoke North.
Rather than hear submissions from them at this time, since I will grant the debate anyway, I suggest they control their enthusiasm for debate until later this evening when they will have an opportunity to speak on debate, if that is satisfactory.
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[2] The word “for” is missing from the published Debates.