Canada halts parliament amid row [by order of The Queen]

BBC ^ | 12/4/2008

[bruinbirdman]

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has won a bid to suspend parliament, blocking an opposition attempt to topple his minority government.

The governor general agreed to Mr Harper's request, unprecedented in the country, after talks.

If the request had been rejected, he would have had to step down or face a confidence vote he was sure to lose.

Opposition parties had called the vote for Monday, accusing the government of failing to shore up the economy.

Acting head of state Michaelle Jean

Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to prorogue - or suspend - parliament until 26 January when the government is set to present its economic plan.

Ms Jean - the representative of head of state Queen Elizabeth II - has the right to make a final decision on such matters.

"Today's decision will give us an opportunity - I'm talking about all the parties - to focus on the economy and work together," Mr Harper said after the two-and-a-half-hour private meeting.

The Conservatives immediately shut down parliament, ending all debate.

The head of the main Liberal opposition party, Stephane Dion, said he was still committed to bringing down Mr Harper's government 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," Mr Dion was quoted as saying by AP news agency.

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," Mr Layton said. "He's trying to save his job."

Political drama

A prime minister's request to temporarily suspend parliament had never been turned down, but nor had such a request been made

[SandRat]

By Order of the Crown.

[KarlInOhio]

Can she do that for the Electoral College in a couple weeks?

[kbennkc]

You mean the Canadians still obey a Queen ? No wonder South Park says they are no even a real country .

[fanfan]

The Queen was not involved.

It’s all very confusing up here for Americans, I know.

:-)

[caveat emptor]

A prime minister's request to temporarily suspend parliament had never been turned down, but nor had such a request been made when the government was certain to lose a confidence vote.

"There is no precedent whatsoever in Canada and probably in the Commonwealth," constitutional expert Ned Franks told AP news agency. "We are in uncharted territory."

British Bollocks Corporation, IMO. Madame Jean is no fool. The uncharted, but predictable, territory would have been to turn the country over to the three stooges, Dion, Layton, and Duceppe.

Harper wasn't running from an election. That's the last thing the three stooges wanted; Harper would have won handily, likely with a majority, and they knew it - they thought they would pull a fast one and gain power without facing the country, which just rejected them.

Harper and Jean did the right thing, with the country facing severe economic problems. Harper can get right on preparing a new budget rather than wasting a couple of months fighting an election while leaving the country without a government.

[Candor7]

Who pulled the plug?

LOL. I love it when the lefties have their own tactics used against them.

Now its rope-a-dope time. Harper is going to take this coalition apart. The cracks are already beginning to show.

Step 1) Remove stage

Step 2) Erect boxing ring

Step 3 ) Invite each coalition leader to step in one at a time

Step4) Biff, Pow, growl, biff- biff , whine! biff-smack, crack, din ding, ( Care for another round?)

Step 5) ( Dion) Piff-Paff,Oh-yoi!, Collees de tabernach!, Piff-Paff -Paff. whip, whip, Oh Yoi!, Au Secours!Piff Paff! Depeche Toi!, THWACK! THWACK , Non! Non! SMAAAAACAAACK!(Silence) Ding-Ding " Care for another round?"

And so it shall be.

Harper is a master. Watch him work and applaud in glee.

Don't mess with Sargeant Preston and Yukon King!

[fanfan]

New tag line.

Have a great night.

[fanfan]

LOL, Candor, you’re celebrating for all of us!

Have a good evening.

;-)

[Repeal 16-17]

By Order of the Crown.

Since its Parliament has been shut down by the representative of the British Queen (the "Governor General"), is Canada truly independent and is it technically a monarchy?

[Candor7]

I will fan.

I swear. The left in Canada is so desperate to keep their hand outs that they are willing to become complete idjits in public. Man did he EVER strike a nerve on the campaign funding issue ( save money in difficult economic times, perfect excuse.)

Harper has them coming FOR him.

Thats actually wonderful strategically.

I just hope that Harper doesn't tire. He will likely need some help in the ring. Who will take a few rounds for him?

LOL.

[SandRat]

That’s a question best answered by clive

[ari-freedom]

Long live the Queen!

[ari-freedom]

better a queen than Obama, Reid and pelosi.

[ripcasc]

I’m American and correct me if I am wrong but the Governor-General represents the sovereign of Britain, Queen Elizabeth who is still recognized as the head of state of Canada and is the Executive who signs into law legislation from Parliament. Does she have veto power or is it like in England where the Queen can’t veto.

Now the Governor-General is chosen by Canadians, the British have no say in the affairs of Canada. Am I right about this?

[goldstategop]

It was necessary to prorogue Parliament to halt a coup d'etat. Hopefully, after the holidays, the opposition will come to its senses.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

Since 1952, the Governor General is always a Canadian citizen. The GG as the representative of the monarchy, acts only on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. It would be a very unusual circumstance where the GG did not follow that advice and the last time a GG refused to follow a Prime Minister's advice was in the Byng-Byng affair in 1926. Its unprecedented to prorogue Parliament but these are unprecedented circumstances.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

Canada has been a self-governing country since 1931, when the Westminster Accord made the Parliaments of all the British Dominions equal in status with the Imperial Parliament in London.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[exg]

Hope this helps:
‘The role of the governor general dates back nearly 400 years to 1608 when Samuel de Champlain acted as the governor of New France. He established what has become the oldest continuing public office in Canada.

Canada became a country at Confederation in 1867. Our system of government is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada and Head of State. Sworn in on September 27, 2005, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, 27th Governor General since Confederation, represents the Crown in Canada and carries out the duties of head of State.”

link: http://www.gg.ca/gg/rr/index_e.asp

[caveat emptor]

With consent of the GG, Queens rep. Not sure what Harper could have done (perhaps nothing, strictly legally) had the GG tried to let the stooges in, but Harper’s a smart, tough guy. That said, it would be much harder for Canada to get stuck with the likes of Obamah, especially the way that went down. IMO.