House of Commons Procedure and Practice

Second Edition, 2009

House of Commons Procedure and Practice - Recalls of the House of Commons During Adjournment Periods Since 1867 - Appendix 14. Recalls of the House of Commons During Adjournment Periods Since 1867

Appendix 14 Recalls of the House of Commons During Adjournment Periods Since 1867

Whenever the House adjourns for a period of time during a session, either pursuant to the Standing Orders or by a Special Order, the Speaker of the House is empowered to recall the House before the date specified in the motion or order if satisfied by the government that it is in the public interest to do so. On the day the House resumes sitting, the usual practice is for the Speaker to inform the Members of the reason for recalling the House, the various steps taken for its recall, and the publication of a Special Order Paper (if one has been requested by the government). The following instances occurred when the House was recalled for matters relating to public interest.

Parliament Session

Date

Reason

By What Authority

19.5

November 22, 1944

To consider the resignation of Minister of National Defence (J.L. Ralston) and matters in reference thereto

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (August 12, 1944).[1] Notice printed in Canada Gazette (November 18, 1944).

21.3

January 29, 1951

To prorogue the Third Session of the Twenty‑First Parliament

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (September 14, 1950). Notice printed in Canada Gazette (January 6, 1951).

27.1

August 29, 1966

To consider Bill C-230, Maintenance of Railway Operation Act, 1966

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (July 14, 1966). Notice printed in Canada Gazette (August 22, 1966).

28.4

August 31, 1972

To consider Bill C-231, West Coast Ports Operations Act

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (July 6, 1972). Notice printed in Canada Gazette (August 29, 1972) and Special Order Paper published.

29.1

August 30, 1973

To consider Bill C-217, Maintenance of Railway Operations Act

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (July 27, 1973). Notice printed in Canada Gazette (August 28, 1973) and Special Order Paper published.

30.2

August 9, 1977

To consider Bill C-63, Air Traffic Control Services Continuation Act

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (July 25, 1977). Notice printed in Canada Gazette (August 6, 1977) and Special Order Paper published.

32.1

October 6, 1980

To consider a government motion regarding the establishment of a Special Joint Committee on the Constitution

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (July 22, 1980). Notice printed in Canada Gazette (October 1, 1980) and Special Order Paper published.

33.1

July 24, 1986

To consider amendments made by the Senate to Bill C-67, An Act to amend the Parole Act and the Penitentiary Act

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Standing Order.[2] Notice printed in Canada Gazette (July 23, 1986).

33.2

August 11, 1987

To consider Bill C-55, An Act to amend the Immigration Act, 1976 and to amend other Acts in consequence thereof; Bill C-84, An Act to amend the Immigration Act, 1976 and the Criminal Code in consequence thereof

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Standing Order. Notice printed in Canada Gazette (August 9, 1987) and Special Order Paper published.

34.2

January 15, 1991

To consider government motion regarding the Persian Gulf crisis

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Standing Order. Notice printed in Canada Gazette (January 13, 1991) and Special Order Paper published.

34.2

February 25, 1991

To resume House business after adjournment to the call of the Chair

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Resolution adopted by the House (January 21, 1991) and Standing Order. Special Order Paper published.

34.3

September 8, 1992

To consider government motions regarding the Constitution

By the Speaker of the House pursuant to Standing Order. Special Order Paper published.

[1] On August 3, 1940, a motion for the adjournment of the House included a provision allowing the Speaker to recall the House early if, after consulting with the government, he felt it was in the public interest to do so. In subsequent sessions, similar motions were moved, and soon came to be made routinely when the House adjourned for an extended period of time.

[2] On December 22, 1982, a provisional Standing Order came into effect, as a result of recommendations of the Special Committee on Standing Orders and Procedure, authorizing the Speaker to recall the House if, after consultation with the government, he or she felt it was in the public interest to do so. This provision is currently framed as Standing Order 28(3).