The Parliament of Canada has been suspended until January 26, 2009, by Prime Minster Stephen Harper. On Thursday, Harper obtained the consent of the Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, to prorogue Parliament, a procedure which suspends the legislature without dissolving it. This prevents the Parliament from overthrowing the government and avoids calling a new election. Michaëlle Jean, file photo A coalition of the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party had looked ready to overthrow the Conservative Party of Canada 's minority government led by Harper. "The first order of business will be the presentation of a federal budget," Harper told reporters outside of the Governor's Rideau Hall residence. "Let's get on with actually working on a package. That's what I think Canadians want us to do, is work on the economy and work together, work together in the interest in Canada." Stéphane Dion, file photo Stéphane Dion , the leader of the Liberal Party, who was positioned to become the new Prime Minister, said the coalition would still seek to replace Harper barring a "monumental change" in his policies. New Democrat leader Jack Layton said it was a "sad day for parliamentary democracy," and that Harper was trying to "escape accountability." "He's put a lock on the door of the House of Commons and he refuses to face the people of Canada through their elected representatives," Layton said, addressing press at the House of Commons .
The has been suspended until January 26, 2009, by Prime Minster Stephen Harper. On Thursday, Harper obtained the consent of the Governor General, , to Parliament, a procedure which suspends the legislature without dissolving it. This prevents the Parliament from overthrowing the government and avoids calling a new election. Michaëlle Jean, file photo A coalition of the and the had looked ready to overthrow the 's minority government led by Harper. "The first order of business will be the presentation of a federal budget," Harper told reporters outside of the Governor's residence. "Let's get on with actually working on a package. That's what I think Canadians want us to do, is work on the economy and work together, work together in the interest in Canada." Stéphane Dion, file photo , the leader of the Liberal Party, who was positioned to become the new Prime Minister, said the coalition would still seek to replace Harper barring a "monumental change" in his policies. New Democrat leader said it was a "sad day for parliamentary democracy," and that Harper was trying to "escape accountability." "He's put a lock on the door of the House of Commons and he refuses to face the people of Canada through their elected representatives," Layton said, addressing press at the .
D
Parliament of Canada
R
Michaëlle Jean, to prorogue
, to
R
Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party
and the
D
Conservative Party of Canada
D
Rideau Hall
D
Stéphane Dion
D
Jack Layton
D
House of Commons