Speaker's Ruling

Madam Speaker: I am advising the House that the notice requirement for a matter of urgent public importance has been met. In order for the matter to proceed to debate, Beauchesne's Citation 389 states that the issue must be so pressing that the public interest will suffer if it is not given immediate attention, and Citation 390 states that the public interest must demand that discussion take place immediately. There must be no other reasonable opportunities for debate according to Citation 387.

The member has not used his opportunity to raise a grievance. He could also use the vehicle of a member's statement to speak to this matter. An Opposition Day motion could also address the issue. Based on the other opportunities available to the member and based on my assessment that the public interests will not suffer if this matter is not discussed today, I must rule the motion of the honourable member for Thompson (Mr. Ashton) out of order.