Canada PM Cancels Gov. General's Beijing trip, Fuels Election Hype

by Rob Walker | August 27, 2008 at 11:36 am

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Yet more election rumours floating around, this time it was Prime Minister Harper's office announcing that Governor General Michaelle Jean won't be attending the Beijing Paralympic Games. This furthers speculation of a fall federal election.

The papers were filled with quotes from both Stephan Dion and Stephen Harper, suggesting an election could be mere weeks away. The latest time for an election call would be September 7.

The Prime Minister's Office announced late Tuesday that Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley will represent Canada in Jean's place at the Games, which open on Sept. 6. The decision allows Jean, who was to depart on Sept. 5, to remain in Ottawa, in case Harper asks her to dissolve Parliament.
The prime minister said he is continuing to consider whether an election needs to be called, a decision he has said he expects to make in the next few weeks. Senior Conservatives have suggested Harper could pull the plug on his government as early as Sept. 2.

"The country must have a government that can function during a time of economic uncertainty," Harper said Tuesday in Ottawa.