Canadian Leader Shuts Down Parliament In Desperate Attempt To Stay In Power

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper suspended Parliament on Thursday to avoid almost certain defeat in a confidence vote _ an unprecedented move allowing him to retain power and confront Canada's flagging economy.

The Conservative leader won the approval of the unelected representative of the head of state for the power to shut down Parliament until Jan. 26, hoping to buy enough time to develop a stimulus package.

"Today's decision will give us an opportunity _ I'm talking about all the parties _ to focus on the economy and work together," Harper said.

Harper, whose party won re-election just two months ago, said a budget will be the first order of business when Parliament resumes.

Three opposition parties have united against Harper, charging he has failed to insulate Canada from the global financial crisis. The credit crisis and a global sell off of commodities have slowed Canada's resource-rich economy, and the finance minister said last week he expects a recession.

The parties, which control the majority of seats in Parliament, had scheduled a confidence vote for Monday in which Harper was virtually certain to lose _ a defeat that would have forced his government from power.

Liberal leader Stephane Dion said the opposition would continue to seek Harper's ouster unless he makes a "monumental change" in dealing with the economy and other parties.

"For the first time in the history of Canada the prime minister is running away from the Parliament of Canada," Dion said.

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The opposition was also outraged by a government proposal to scrap public subsidies for political parties, something the opposition groups rely on more than the Conservatives. Although that proposal was withdrawn, the opposition has continued to seek Harper's ouster, saying he has lost the trust and confidence of parliament.

Governor General Michaelle Jean, who represents Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, had the power to grant the unusual request to suspend parliament. Had she refused, Harper would have had two choices: step down or face the no-confidence vote.

Both Harper and Jean's spokeswoman declined to comment on the leaders' two-and-a-half hour meeting Thursday.

Robert Bothwell, director of the international relations program at the University of Toronto, criticized the move to suspend parliament.

"Canada looks terrible. It looks ridiculous. It makes nonsense of our constitution," he said, adding that the move set a dangerous precedent, paving the way for any prime minister facing defeat to follow suit.

Opposition politicians also blasted Harper's methods.

"I frankly don't regard his government as legitimate any more," said Liberal Bob Rae, comparing the move to something more commonly expected from a Third World country. "His government is there because he avoided the will of Parliament."

Opposition New Democrat leader Jack Layton called it a sad day.

"He's trying to lock the door of Parliament so that the elected people cannot speak," Layton said. "He's trying to save his job."

Analysts said a governor general has never been asked to suspend parliament to delay an ouster vote when it was clear the government didn't have the confidence of a majority of legislators.

Harper's Conservative Party was re-elected Oct. 14 with a strengthened minority government, but still must rely on the opposition to pass legislation.

The Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois, which together control a majority of parliament's 308 seats, signed a pact agreeing to vote this coming Monday to oust Harper and setting the structure for their proposed coalition government.

But infighting among the Liberals is casting doubt on whether the coalition will hold. Liberal Jim Karygiannis called his party's leader a disaster and said Dion should step down.

The opposition was embarrassed by Dion's televised response to Harper on Wednesday. Dion's English is awkward and his address was beset by technical woes. It was delivered almost an hour late and the fuzzy quality of the production had Canadian Broadcasting Corp. anchor Peter Mansbridge cracking: "It kind of looked like they shot it with a cell phone."

Harper needs the support of 12 opposition lawmakers to avoid being toppled in a confidence vote next month and some lawmakers will consider breaking ranks with their party after hearing from angry constituents.

"The issue," Wiseman said, "is whether can the Liberals hang together."

Comments

[thromulese]

Harper sounds like Bush.

It’s obvious that he has the same disdain for laws and institutions as bush. I wonder if he shares the same love of torture, war, and general incompetence as our King George Jr.

[cowman]

I think he draws the line at torture and war. Don't get me wrong I don't like him but let's condemn him for what he really is. He's committed to an end date to our involvement in Afghanistan which, although I don't personally agree with it, demonstrates he doesn't love war.

[warrenmcleod]

Not true. If Harper had had his way Canada would have gone along with Bush and invaded Iraq. He spoke fervently for entering the war. I would hazard the guess that his "commitment " to ending the war in Afghanistan is politically motivated, much like Bush's agreement to leave Iraq in a few years.

[BARRISTER]

It is my humble submission that the Governor - General's action, in this context, is a flagrant breach of Canada's Charter.

[cowman]

Perhaps not the letter of the law but definitely it's spirit.

[S1m0n]

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms?

Which right or freedom did you have in mind?

[ConcernfromCanada]

Just as you in the US have been wise enough to reject the politics of fear and distorting the truth for the sole objective to hold on to power, our Governor General has just condoned that behaviour. Its a sad day here for those of us in the 67% that did not vote for the Conservatives in the last election. An election that was called only to protect his hold power and in no way necessary when it was called. He is too afraid to face the electorate in the after glow of the Obama win and is one of the reasons he wanted to go to the polls before November 4th.

Harper is the most dangerous man in Canadian politics and the most power hungry and control freak that has ever held that office. He abuses the power of the Prime Minister's Office by running non-stop smear campaigns against those that disagree with him instead of governing responsibly. Like Bush and Co. he appeals to a very small base but forgets that even with a minority government he must take the interests of the entire country into account. He may have set off a constitutional crisis here with his inane attacks against the political leaders from Quebec. He is running a campaign of lies now to justify his actions.

[canadiansoccermom]

Yes and watch him pit Canadians against "Quebecers" to do so. This would give the separtists amunition for their cause.

[Enlightened22]

There is a case to be made here. It is easy to think, looking at the policies he has been making that go directly against Quebec core beliefs, that Harper does hope for Quebec to separate. From his own perspective (religious, historical and economical one) it would make sense. And he is certainly using the right tactics.

[11907281]

If any criticism of Quebec gives the separatists ammo then what is the point really? 2/3rds of Quebecois voted for a party with a separatist platform, it seems like they already have the ammo in the clip. It's called blackmail and they have been doing it since the 60's. My father was born and raised in Quebec, both my grandmothers were 100% french-Canadian and I spent every Saturday of my childhood in eastern Quebec, I have seen the hypocrisy all my life and it will never end until they either leave or create a caste system. Have you even taken or spoken to someone who has taken the government language tests?

[Enlightened22]

I do think it's a bit more complicated than this. As much as I despise Harper, I do think there was a relief in Ottawa coming from all parties. The liberals did not want to get stuck with Dion as their leader as they were were getting ready to get rid of him. The Bloc felt uncomfortable with the election coming in Quebec. How can you defend independance while working with a coalition party? The liberals and NDP felt the pressure from their voters not to go to bed with independantists (or, as some call them "separatists"). Michaelle Jean made a weak decision but one that satisfied all parties.

[cowman]

I disagree with your perspective on Dion - the coalition agreement had him still stepping down at the same time as before and the new coalition leader being chosen at the Liberal leadership convention - so it really wouldn't have made any difference on the timeline of replacing Dion, it just would have upped the stakes a little.

[rgdot]

While it's strictly not illegal of the GG to do this it's just one more step down the path. Minority governments can fall and should when they present ideas that are not the will of the people. One can blame the Canadian people for voting like this of course, that 36% or so is 35.99% above what it should be. The propaganda against a party leader (Dion) that is even apparent in comments here on HuffPO is another sad the point, a leader no matter who it is, yes even Bush, has to get votes for the ideas and policies he or she has, not personality. I didn't vote Liberal but the reason I didn't wasn't because of Dion's 'personality' or 'communication skills'

[11907281]

Since Harper broke his own pledge on fixed election dates and called an election a year early (cause he knew Obama was going to win in Nov. possibly influencing our vote) I wanted him out. But the deal to give the Bloc 3 senate seats is unacceptable, the auto bailout is unacceptable, Dion is unacceptable. As much as I dislike the Conservatives a.k.a republican-lite, this coalition doesn't really seem to have a plan other than handing out favors for those who go along and the possible backlash against the NDP and Liberals puts us at risk of a majority conservative government next time around.

[LaFilleEnRose]

Was wondering when HuffPo was going to cover this huge story that's been brewing for a week in Canada. If the country isn't planning on attacking us, the US news does not cover it. However, Canada being our biggest trading partner and our neighbor to the north should be covered a lot better than it is. And no I'm not a Canadian.

[cowman]

There was a story or 2 about it last week

[canadiansoccermom]

I've been saying all along the NDP and Liberal parties should merge. They are close enough in their mandates. This way we wouldn' tbe voting simply on the basis of trying not to let the conservatives win. For years my family voted Liberal. However, the NDP has come along with much more emphasis on health care, education, and the environment. Consequently, the strong Liberal vote has been split as increasingly more people are moving towards the NDP.
As well, Harper is not at all transparent. He won't speak to the press and for the G8 summit held in Quebec, police dressed as protesters attacked police so that they would end the protest.

[PSM42]

You can all start reading up on Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, Daniel Ellsberg, Peter Dale Scott and may God help you all. ;-) As did we. Alternatively H will do the decent thing and fall on his sword. Oh wait, he's a Neocon Nutcase. Forget that. They don't do the decent thing. Ever. Y'all ll have to boot him, by fair means or (democratically) foul.

[Daksian]

I agree. I'm a Liberal, and I would be very happy to see the 'Liberal Democratic Party' or the 'Democratic Liberal Party' (just drop the 'New'...it's a party as old as my grandfather!)

[weatherwaxx]

My Canadian friends call Harper "Bush in a parka." I guess now that the republicans were routed down south, the Canadians figure it's time to sweep out the trash, too.

In some ways it's a pity the Dems couldn't call an election when Bush's popularity droppped below 30%, but the timing of the financial crash was so perfect no one could have planned that.

We sure live in interesting times.

[cowman]

I prefer to think of him as Bush without emotions

[Twopennygal]

Bush has emotions?

[PSM42]

Isn't that the description of H i t l er? And of S o c io paths? No sense of humour at all, ever. By their signs shall ye know them.

[SorchaPayne]

He's more like an amalgamation of Bush and Cheney.

[glen]

There is no coup, just rarely used parliamentary procedure. In Canada, the Prime Minister forms government at the pleasure of the Crown ( in the person of the Governor General, Constitutional Monarchy is a weird archaic system but it works, sort of. ) The Governor General invites the leader of the party with the greatest support in parliament to form a government on her behalf.

The current government is composed of a coalition of Alliance, Reform, Progressive, Conservative and Social Credit parties. A coalition must govern by consensus but Harper forgot that important fact.

The GG should have invited the leader of the opposition coalition to form a government but she gave Harper a break.

More to be revealed.

[PSM42]

In other words, the GG fixed the result to get the 'right' (Neocon Nutcase) result. And I bet Canadians like to think that they live in a democracy. How they feel right now is how those to the south have felt for eight years. Sick as a parrot. Our deepest sympathies.

Hope it can be corrected. Boot the GG and constitutional head and become a republic, perchance?

[glen]

Dropping the vestigial monarchy would suit me fine although I'm not sure if moving to a Republic would be much better in effect.

I WOULD like to see a system of proportional representation to reduce the influence of political parties and make it more likely that elected reps would govern in the interests of their constituents.

[cowman]

To call the current government a coalition of dead parties is misleading. The Progressives and Conservatives formed the Progressiv­e-Conserva­tive Party. That party got beat down hard several years ago, the far-right remains of that party started the Reform Party. The Reform Party later re-branded as the Alliance which merged with the remaining Progressiv­e-Conserva­tives to form the current Conservative Party.

No one thinks of the Conservative party as any kind of coalition.

[glen]

I do.

[senorplaid]

So Western Canada = Southern USA. And both are in charge. Splendid. Hope that works out better for you than it has for us.

[cowman]

Such political shifts are more common, frequent, and quick in Canada. Such shifts also largely reflect a specific event like a scandal more than a large ideological shift. The only large ideological shift over the last decade has been a greater concern for the environment and that hasn't gotten the Green party a single elected seat yet.

[PSM42]

A true Neocon Solution - if the people look like taking back power, close down democracy and stop it. Great.

Bye Bye Harper. Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.

[cowman]

Indeed, I was disappointed to see our GG who left Haiti to escape a dictatorship facilitate this.

[PSM42]

But not surprised, I hope.

[MJinCanada]

I'm wondering if she decided to give him enough rope to hang himself with. Give everyone time to think it over, give the Liberals, NDP and Bloc time to point out to their constituents how much they stand to lose with Harper.

I'm not saying we're slow, but the only reason Harper won the last election is that he sprung it on everyone and rushed through it. HE had been campaigning for over a year with those nasty little postcards and other tricks, while HE said he wasn't going to call an election for another two years, so the other parties were caught flat-footed.

And the timing? Thousands of students who had just moved to or from university and didn't have their ID updated. The street address versus post office box in rural areas still unresolved. That was the closest thing to a stolen election since the days when the politicians used to buy a few rounds then drive the drunks to the polls.

[Hydra8]

Governor General Michelle Jean should resign her position for allowing Harper to block democracy.
The opposition Parties have a legitimate right under the Constitution of Canada to form a coalition party.

Harper himself in 2004 sought an alliance with the Bloc to overthrow the Liberals, and he failed to get an agreement with the Bloc. So he is now a hypocrite that is dividing the country with the separatist who are inflamed by his insulting lack of judgment. After all Harper sought the vote of Quebec in the election just six weeks ago and is now turning on that province.

In the first session of government instead of providing an economic stimulus package like every other country he chose to do three things:

1) Harper wants to do away with Pay Equity for women and minorities which harms single mothers, women who are poor and minorities including other races.

2) Harper did not have an economic package for Canadians to offset the harm of the global recession while Canadians are losing jobs, manufacturing plants are shut down.

3) Harper chose to cut off government funding for elections which cuts off his opposing parties since the Conservatives have a war chest from their corporate donors and the other parties do not have funds.

No matter how you slice it Harper has to resign and allow the coalition to form a government.
Now the Canadian Government is enjoying a two month vacation which is a total outrage.

[cowman]

But that's not all!

4) He proposed $2 Billion in Government cutbacks but refused to say what programs would get cut

[ConcernfromCanada]

You are correct. I am so furious that none of the news outlets here are pointing out that it was Harper who stood in the House of Commons and recognized Quebec as a nation so he could gain popularity in that province and get more votes. He is a hypocrite, a bully and not fit to lead. Now he is playing a very dangerous game by insulting the Bloc and the people who voted for them. This could devolve into a true Constitutional crisis over unity just when that issue was losing its fire. The right thing would have been for him and his finance minister to resign for the prank they tried to pull last week. He has no honour. He is a political opportunist. Sadly, as I watched all of the leaders last night, the leader of the Bloc was the only one that made sense.

[cowman]

I thought Layton did pretty well.

[Daksian]

Agreed 100%

[jonjon66]

Awesome, Canadians generally laugh at the very Americans they envy, like they're sooo f*ckin brilliant. Look at them now! hahahha. Run Harper Run

[weatherwaxx]

Your assumption that Canadians envy Americans is pretty egocentric. Most of the Canadians I know think Americans are nice people but none too clever... and if you look at the past 8 years, they are correct. Obama won because the bush regime ran the ship of state up on the rocks -- that's nothing to laugh about.

[ConcernfromCanada]

Today we are eating crow.

[PSM42]

WW, the USans are certainly 'none too clever.' And not by accident, either. There is are several giant industries devoted to keeping them that way. The MSM. The political spin organizations. A gazillion dollar ultra-far-right think tank industry. Woeful public school education system. Destruction of unions. Ferocious c o in tel pro against all progressive organizations, recently doubled and re-doubled. You name, it didn't happen by 'accident.'

But the good news is that even all together, it wasn't enough - see Obama and the Last Election. :-) Which otherwise, very nearly was the Last Election - see Gore Vidal on youtube for details. Google youtube Gore Vidal 1995 ... and Peter Dale Scott. Google GTV Empire.

[2dark]

That we envy... huh? Wouldn't have a source on that would... oh forget it. Your arrogance is as American as apple pie.

A Palin-free, Limbaugh-free, Bush-free Canadian

p.s. Note that our "Commander­-in-Chief" (however you feel about him) can not hide out at his retreat working the grill during times of national crisis . Google "Question Period", "parliament" and "Canada". Harper is of course a neo-con.

[dentuso]

Ah... not quite. There's a common mantra in Canada which asserts -

"Americans' greatest pride is the fact that they're Americans. Canadians' greatest pride is the fact that they're not."

[cowman]

It's not nearly as simplistic as you make it out to be. We laugh at Palin and envy you for Obama. And I don't see how this situation says anything about all Canadians.

[chromodynamics]

I can see you got a little Canada envy going on there, yourself. All the troubles they're having must remind you of home.

[BJBirdie]

It's not quite that simple.

A plurality of people supported the coalition over the status quo, but not by much. However, MOST Canadians did not want opposition leader Stephane Dion to become Prime Minister.

Kind of like the US election in '04. A lot of independents didn't like Bush, but they didn't relish the prospect of a President Kerry either.

[PSM42]

ER, the US election in 2004 was WON by John Kerry. And stolen in Ohio. Congressman Conyers published the book on how it was done. Forward by Gore Vidal http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/gore+vidal+ready+to+kill/2238447

Further, Canada aspires to be a democracy. If it didn't have a governor-general to ensure that the result comes out 'right.' So a coalition is democratic, just not desired by the Neocon Nutcase supporters.

[walk0nwalls]

Harper's heading out, like it or not.