Precedence and Sequence of Business / Superseding Motion

Adjournment; moved on a point of order; substantive motion requiring notice

Debates p. 4381

Background

On the final allotted day in the supply period and immediately following the Speaker's call for Orders of the Day, Mr. Robinson (Burnaby) rose on a point of order and moved that the House do now adjourn. The Speaker stated that pursuant to Standing Order 8(3) a motion to adjourn was not in order because the House was under the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to supply. In response, Mr. Robinson submitted that Standing Order 8(3) does not preclude a motion to adjourn until such time as the votes on Supply are to be put. The Speaker ruled immediately on the admissibility of such a motion.

Issue

Is a motion to adjourn until a specified time admissible on a point of order during an alloted day?

Decision

No. A motion to adjourn until a certain hour cannot be moved on a point of order and is a substantive motion requiring notice.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The Member was recognized on a point of order. Motions to adjourn cannot be moved on a point of order. Furthermore, a motion to adjourn can not be entertained when the House is under the provision of the Standing Orders relating to Supply, which require that certain Supply items be voted on. A condition that the adjournment take place only until a specified time makes the motion a substantive one, requiring notice.

Sources cited

Standing Order 8(3).