Special Debates / Emergency Debates
Leave granted: abduction of young girls in Nigeria
Debates, pp. 5116–7
Context
On May 8, 2014, Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) rose in the House to request that an emergency debate be held, pursuant to Standing Order 52,[1] on the abduction of over 270 young girls in Nigeria by a Nigerian terrorist group. Mr. Dewar contended that the situation was disturbing and that it was necessary to hold an emergency debate to consider what Canada could do to address the situation and meet the expectations of Canadians.
Resolution
The Speaker delivered his ruling immediately. He advised the House of his decision to grant the request for an emergency debate. In keeping with the discretion granted to him by the Standing Orders, he directed that the debate be held on Monday, May 12, 2014, to ensure that more Members had the opportunity to participate.
Decision of the Chair
The Speaker: I thank the hon. Member for Ottawa Centre for raising this issue. As a father of two young girls myself, I can certainly understand the impact this would have on concerned Canadians and Members of the House.
I am inclined to grant the emergency debate. However, given the changes to the House calendar that the House has just adopted, I think it would perhaps serve the House better and allow for better participation if I exercise my discretion under the Standing Orders and direct that the debate be held Monday evening so that there can be better participation of Members at that time.
Therefore, I will direct that the emergency debate be granted and be held Monday evening.
Some third-party websites may not be compatible with assistive technologies. Should you require assistance with the accessibility of documents found therein, please contact accessible@parl.gc.ca.
[1] See Appendix A, “Cited Provisions: Standing Orders of the House of Commons”, Standing Order 52.