I thank members of both sides of this House for their arguments on this point. I have looked at Standing Order 76, cited by the hon. member for Joliette, and considered the wording. Furthermore, I looked at the wording of Standing Order 45 to make a comparison, and I do not believe the
It is provided in Standing Order 45(3) that:
When, under the provisions of any Standing Order or other Order of the House, the Speaker has interrupted any proceeding for the purpose of putting forthwith the question on any business then before the House, the bells to call in the Members shall be sounded for not more than fifteen minutes.
I interrupted the proceedings at the conclusion of 180 minutes.
-in order to put the question immediately on a matter under discussion in the House, the division bells must have rung for fifteen minutes at most.
Having done so, I refer the hon. member for Joliette and the Reform Party whip to Standing Order 45(5)(a)(i):
Except as provided in sections (3) and (6) of this Standing Order-
In other words, where section (3) applies there is no right to defer under Standing Order 45(5). Standing Order 45(5) applies to 30 minute bells, not 15 minute bells. On any 15 minute bell the only hope for deferral lies under Standing Order 45(7).
I urge hon. members to have regard to that fact. I did not permit the deferral of the division because I believed it was out of order and I so ruled.
We will now proceed with the question.
(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)