Canada defers political crisis
Friday, 05 Dec 2008 09:27
Stephen Harper escapes no-confidence vote - for now
Canada's opposition remains defiant after the country's parliament was prorogued yesterday in an unprecedented escalation of its current political crisis.
Prime minister Stephen Harper was widely expected to lose a no-confidence vote on Monday but escaped after the Queen's representative Michaelle Jean granted his request to suspend parliament until January 26th.
He had angered the Liberal party and New Democratic party (NDP) by unveiling an economic plan at the weekend which did not include a major stimulus plan.
Mr Harper's proposals instead suggested ending public financing of political parties, prompting the Liberals and NDP to agree to a coalition government.
At an opposition rally held last night in Vancouver politicians vowed to defeat the government when parliament returns next year. Most were critical of Ms Jean's decision to allow Mr Harper to continue in office.
"We do have ways of dealing with these things in a parliamentary democracy by forming a coalition government," the Financial Post newspaper quoted one supporter as saying.
"What the governor-general [Ms Jean] should have done is ask the people who are in a position to form a government to do that."
There are concerns that the political crisis will undermine Canada's already weak unity, however.
To make its coalition viable the opposition has had to invite Bloc Quebecois, a separatist party, to join it.
"Obviously we have to do some trust-building," Mr Harper said. He has until January 26th to do so.