This famous parliamentary confrontation of May 1956 began over funding for a pipeline to carry natural gas from Alberta to central Canada, and developed into a debate over parliamentary procedure.  The necessity to finish debate before the upcoming election, coupled by financial pressure from Trans-Canada Pipelines Ltd., compelled the Liberals, under PM St. Laurent, to impose closure at each stage of debate on the bill. This move caused considerable controversy and criticism, and contributed to the Liberal defeat in the 1957 federal election.