Debates of May 7th, 1998

Canada Labour Code

[Randy White, Reform, Langley—Abbotsford, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I refer you to Standing Order 29 which refers to quorum in the House. A few minutes ago you witnessed the bells ringing for some eight or nine minutes to get quorum in the House. As we have brought up at House leaders meetings prior to this, we expect the government to have its fair share of members in the House. I am not talking about numbers at the moment. I am just asking you to hear me out.

It is quite unacceptable to us for there to be more members in opposition speaking to bills than government members. I suggest the Chair give advice to the government. Either the Liberals start matching this side of the House or we will be walking out of here. We will expect them to start filling quorum in the House every minute of every day.

[Bob Speller, Liberal, Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the hon. member's comments. I want him to know that we were sitting in the foreign committee with the minister there. Votes were to be held so we had to have a full contingent in that committee. As a result of his quorum call, the opposition parties did not have the full opportunity to question the minister.

So I would caution him in using his quorum call in the House all the time. The hon. member knows we have many committees, in particular on Thursdays. We are getting near the end of the session. Many ministers are coming forward to committees. Surely it would not be in the member's best interest to make a quorum call in the House when there is very important work going on in these committees with ministers.

[The Deputy Speaker]

We should not get into a debate on this point of order. As your Speaker I can only say that I do not believe a point of order has been raised. The hon. House leader for the Reform Party has made his point. He has delivered his own message to the government and the government has heard it or argued against it as the case may be.

The Speaker as the presiding officer of the House is not concerned when there is a quorum call as to who is in the House from which side of the House. The count is for the minimum number of 20 members. If 20 members are present the debate resumes. The Speaker is disinterested as to whether it is all government members, all opposition members or a mixture of members from both sides forming the quorum. As such the Speaker is not in a position to tell members from either side of the House who should be in his or her place or how many members should be available for any debate.

In the circumstances we will leave this matter and proceed with the debate.

[Jay Hill, Reform, Prince George—Peace River, BC]

Mr. Speaker, in light of that nonsensical answer from the government benches I call quorum.

And the count having been taken:

[The Deputy Speaker]

The Chair counted 20 members.

[Ted McWhinney, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Speaker, the last point of order was frivolous and therefore non-receivable.

[The Deputy Speaker]

Is the House ready for the question?

[Some hon. members]

Question.

[The Deputy Speaker]

The question is on Motion No. 1.

[Bob Mills, Reform, Red Deer, AB]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I had been recognized as the next speaker and of course other events happened. I was on my feet.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I am afraid I am in the midst of putting the question to the House. I called resuming debate and no member rose in his or her place. I asked if the House was ready for the question. No member rose in his or her place, the House called for the question and I started putting the question.

I am afraid the hon. member needs to be in his place if he is to make this point.

[An hon. member]

Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

[The Deputy Speaker]

I do not think it is proper for the Chair to entertain a point of order when we are in the process of putting the question to the House and I propose to proceed with putting the question.

The vote is on Motion No. 1. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Deputy Speaker]

All those in favour will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.

[The Deputy Speaker]

All those opposed will please say nay.

[Some hon. members]

Nay.

[The Deputy Speaker]

In my opinion the nays have it.

And more than five members having risen:

[The Deputy Speaker]

The recorded division on Motion No. 1 stands deferred.

The next question is on Motion No. 2. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[Some hon. members]

No.

[The Deputy Speaker]

All those in favour will please say yea.

[Some hon. members]

Yea.