Speaker of the Senate
Speaker’s Statement – Proceedings of Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Honourable senators,
I have reviewed the record from yesterday’s sitting and would like to make the following comments.
Let me begin by recognizing that there was some confusion yesterday in proceedings on motion 271. In brief, Senator Lankin moved her motion, seconded by Senator Peticlerc. After hearing Senator Lankin say that she did not intend to speak to the motion, I recognized Senator Peticlerc, who is seated immediately beside Senator Lankin and was the first senator whom I saw. Senator Peticlerc then moved the previous question, seconded by Senator Lankin. The purpose of moving the previous question is usually to curtail debate and, if adopted, put the question on the main motion. The previous question is a debatable motion, but cannot be amended.
When Senator Plett stood, I thought that he wished to speak to Senator Lankin’s motion rather than the previous question. He could not, however, do this, since by then the Senate was dealing with the previous question, which will determine the fate of Senator Lankin’s motion.
Since there was no debate on Senator Peticlerc’s actual motion, the question was then put, and a standing vote requested and deferred until 5:30 p.m. today.
Given the very rare use of the previous question, it is understandable that confusion arose. To help address this situation, it might be helpful if Senator Plett were able to speak at this time to explain his position, as if he were speaking to the motion on the previous question, but understanding that this intervention does not affect the vote later today. This would allow the Senate to understand his views when it does make its decision on the previous question.
Therefore, I will now recognize Senator Plett.