Order. The situation is as follows. Having ruled that the motion of the hon. member for Crowfoot is in order, the Chair has called for debate. That has been challenged by the hon. member for Delta—South Richmond who wishes to appeal that ruling.
I refer hon. members to page 776 of Marleau and Montpetit, which states:
Members may appeal a ruling of the Chairman of Committees of the Whole to the Speaker... After the Chairman has made a ruling, a Member may rise on a point of order and appeal the ruling to the Speaker. Such an appeal is not subject to debate. The Chairman immediately leaves the Chair at the Table, the Mace is placed back on the Table, and the Speaker resumes the Chair. The Chairman stands in front of the Speaker's Chair and reports the incident and the ruling which has been appealed to the Speaker. The Speaker may hear from other Members on the matter before ruling.
Marleau and Montpetit states:
(In the absence of the Speaker, the Chairman may take the Chair and decide the appeal to his or her own ruling.)
In my view, that would not be appropriate in the circumstances. I have therefore contacted the Speaker who will be here as soon as he can to hear the hon. member's appeal. Accordingly, I will suspend proceedings until the Speaker arrives.
(The sitting of the House was suspended at 10:22 p.m.)