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Canadian Parliament Suspended After Prime Minister Meets with Governor General

by Rob Walker | December 4, 2008 at 08:56 am

551 views | 9 Recommendations | 6 comments

Governor General Michaelle Jean granted a request from Prime Minister Stephen Harper to suspend the Canadian Parliament, a move that sidesteps the confidence vote that could have removed him from power.

After a two hour meeting between the PM and Governor General, Jean agreed to prorogue (or suspend) the current parliamentary session. However, this will only delay the no-confidence vote until January, when the Conservatives plan to launch a new budget.

Liberal leader Bob Rae pointed out that Harper's suspension of parliament is unprecedented and showed a complete lack of confidence in the senate, and their lack of confidence in him. He also stated they would put forward a no-confidence motion after the budget is unveiled in January. As Rae said, "You can run, but you can't hide."

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has granted a request from Stephen Harper to suspend Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office told CBC News, a move that avoids a confidence vote set for Monday that could have toppled his minority government.

NowPublic staff Tina Kells posted a story to let us know exactly what 'prorogation' means:

Stephen Harper is facing a vote of non-confidence in Parliament and is trying to ward off an opposition coalition. In a last bid to stop this from happening he has asked Governor General Michaelle Jean for a prorogation.

This begs the question... what exactly is prorogation?

Source: my.nowpublic.com

Liberal party leader Stephan Dion, who would have become the de-facto leader of the coalition, said that it would take monumental changes to stop a no-confidence vote:

The Liberals are "more committed than ever" to replacing the Tories in government, said Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion on Thursday, after Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean granted Prime Minister Stephen Harper's request to suspend Parliament until Jan. 26.

Jean's decision allows Harper and his Conservatives to sidestep a confidence vote scheduled for Monday that would have toppled the minority government. The expected no-confidence vote would have potentially brought a Liberal-NDP coalition — supported by the Bloc Québécois — to power.

Layton said Thursday was "a sad day that has happened for Parliamentary democracy."

The coalition, he said, was ready to take over in government and move on without the Conservatives to work together to take "bold and strong action" on the economy.

NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe denounced Harper's tactics of attempting to label the coalition members separatists and called his actions anti-democratic.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe called Harper's actions anti-democratic and "unbecoming of a prime minister."

He said the prime minister has incited hatred toward Quebecers not seen since the failure of the Meech Lake Accord in the 1990s.

NP'er TDH posted a great write up on the Prorogue and the various endings to the current political crisis.

Governor General Michaëlle Jean has granted Prime Minister Stephen Harper his one wish. She has suspended the current parliamentary session until January 27th and squashed, for now at least, the possibility of a Liberal-NDP coalition.

If Jean had turned down the request, Harper would have have been forced to step down or face a no-confidence vote he was sure to lose on Monday.

The delay gives Harper needed time to present a budget next month that includes a stimulus package.

Harper emerged from a two-and-a-half hour meeting with the Governor General, telling reporters that the House of Commons will not resume sitting until Jan. 26. The House had been scheduled to sit until Dec. 12.

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Paschen

at 10:19 on December 4th, 2008

This, I think is a big mistake Jean just made and will only delay the inevitable or make things even worth.

sara star

at 12:44 on December 4th, 2008

Especially in the midst of economic crisis, to shut down the government???

Fairbanks

at 12:57 on December 4th, 2008

sara star, two points:

1. the government is not shut down, merely Parliament, which could be a positive situation.

2. the government has not moved to cure the crisis since they don't know what to do, so no damage if the legislature takes a few weeks off.

jordan

at 13:23 on December 4th, 2008

Parliament could have gotten quite a bit done in seven weeks. Now it cannot.

Ultimately, I don't see how this really helps Harper: he's just opening an umbrella as an anvil drops down on him.

The government does know what to do, actually- the vote of no confidence can go two ways: Harper can win or he can lose, and that vote will still happen, prorogation or no: the other parties smell blood, and it's unlikely that Harper can retool the economic package in a way to avoid the vote of no confidence.