Special Debates / Emergency Debates
Leave refused: closure of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Quebec City; other opportunities for debate available
Debates, pp. 15291–2
Context
On March 27, 2013, Yvon Godin (Acadie—Bathurst) rose in the House to request that an emergency debate be held, pursuant to Standing Order 52,[1] regarding the closure of the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in Quebec City slated to close on April 15, 2013. He emphasized that it was the only bilingual maritime rescue centre in Canada and that closing it could put lives at risk. Mr. Godin also mentioned that the House would adjourn the following day until April 15, 2013, which increased the urgency of the situation.
Resolution
The Speaker delivered his ruling immediately. He pointed out that Members had had the opportunity to raise this matter during the debate on the budget in previous days, and that they would also have the opportunity that day to speak to the issue. As a result, he ruled that holding an emergency debate was not necessary.
Decision of the Chair
The Speaker: I would like to thank the Member for Acadie—Bathurst for raising this question.
I have no doubt that this is a very important issue to the hon. Member. However, I should point out that we have already had four days of debate on the budget, so we have had the opportunity to talk about many things that are the Government’s responsibility. Today, we are still debating the Government’s budget policy in general. I believe that the Members will have the opportunity to speak to this issue today, as they have had the opportunity to do over the past few days.
For those reasons, I do not believe it is necessary to agree to the Member’s request.
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[1] See Appendix A, “Cited Provisions: Standing Orders of the House of Commons”, Standing Order 52.