However, as a constitutional monarchy, the Queen, or in this case her representative, is only a figurehead, and can never be seen to gainsay a request from parliament. Steven Harper asking Michaelle Jean permission to suspend Parliament is only a formality and she really has no choice in the matter. It would be an even more dangerous precedent for a Governor-General to refuse the request of a Prime Minister, than for her to allow Mr. Harper to suspend the House of Commons. In a constitutional monarchy the crown can never be seen as dictating to parliament, or the whole system is compromised.
For those of you wondering why Steven Harper waited until almost the last minute before calling everything off, the reason was that he and his Conservative Party needed the week to paint as negative a picture of the opposition as possible for the Canadian public. So he has spent the week saying the last thing Canada needs is a separatist government during a financial crises. In fact, he and his party have resorted to telling outright lies by saying things like that the Bloc Quebecois would have Cabinet posts in the coalition government as they attempt to do anything to shore up their own image. He has seems to have conveniently forgotten how willing he was when in opposition to try and woo the same separatist party in his attempts to overthrow the Liberal government.
You see, even now, Harper is only grudgingly admitting that perhaps as a minority government he and his Conservatives are going to have to work with the other members of the House of Commons. For the two years prior to the election last October 14th he and his party had been able to control parliament with a minority government because the Liberal Party, the main opposition party, didn't have a leader and weren't about to call an election. However, there is only so far you can push people, and so much you can get away with. The fiscal package he introduced that was supposed to prepare Canada for the upcoming financial crises was such a slap in the face for the opposition they refused to take it.
It was Conservative party arrogance that brought about the situation and unless that changes, chances are that when the House of Commons reconvenes in January we're not going to see much of a change in the attitudes of the opposition parties. All three parties still say they are prepared to bring down the government as they no longer have trust or confidence in their ability to rule. Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae says that he is prepared to campaign across the country in support of the coalition in preparation for the recall of parliament and has all ready called the Harper government illegitimate and accused the Prime Minister of being a coward by asking for prorogation.
Article comments
1 - alessandro
Regardless.
Let's get serious.
The Liberals are unfit to lead a coalition. The NDP are interventionist boobs and the Bloc - "support" notwithstanding - are a party dedicated to the breakup of Canada.
Some coalition.
Coalition of dumb-dumbs.
This will hurt the Liberals in the long-term more than it will the Conservatives. It's as if the Liberals want to give the West to the Conservatives.
Such shallow reasoning too. As a citizen watching from afar I must profess this move to be unacceptable - even if it's democratic to do so.
They were better off accepting defeat, rebuild, nominate a real leaders and prepare for the next election.
2 - Ruvy
Looks like your government is skating on the edge of constitutionality also, Richard. That makes me feel a bit better, seeing the joke that passes for democracy in Israel that I do.
3 - STM
He's cheating a bit Richard, isn't he? Parliament generally shuts down for a time over the Christmas/New Year period anyway, even with a new Government ... and usually about now, doesn't it?
That's the case in Oz, and I believe in the UK and NZ, so I'd assume it's not much different up your way.
4 - Richard Marcus
While it's true that parliament would be shutting down for Christmas break soon, when a government is facing a non-confidence vote like the one that had been scheduled for Decemeber 8th/08, or even if there was some legislation the government wanted passing, they've been known to stay open as late as a few days before Christmas.
In 2005, when Steven Harper was in opposition, he led the movement to vote out Prime MInister Paul Martin's minority Liberal government later in December then this. In fact as I say in my article the situations were identical, as Paul Martin knew very well he was going down to defeat, but he didn't take the same way out.
cheers
Richard