I thank the hon. member for Toronto—Danforth for raising this matter. His letter on this subject came in, as I recall, on August 16. While I might have had considerable sympathy at that time, had the House been sitting, given the length of time we have had without the House in session, I feel that some of the urgency has gone out of this issue, at least with respect to the need for an emergency debate in the House.
I note that there will be an opposition day within the next 10 days. When that happens, if members feel it is an urgent priority, it could be moved as a subject matter for debate on that day or on a subsequent opposition day. That might be a more suitable forum for discussion on a topic that has been around for quite some time.
I do not underestimate the importance of the matter. I simply say that at this stage it is not something that meets the exigencies of the standing order relating to emergency debates. Accordingly I deny the request at this time.