http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a3JbAFqGjgoM&refer=home

"Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper suspended the country’s legislature for more than seven weeks in a bid to stave off a challenge from opposition parties seeking to bring down his government."

 

Eh? They can do that?

Yeah, they were trying to throw him out based on a vote of no confidence, and before they could, he just suspended the legislature. Apparently, the Queen of England even signed off on it.

How awful. He could simply have bought the opposition off, Illinois fashion. Much more democratic.

It is ironic how he avoided a vote of no confidence by demonstrating that he deserves one.

Its not unreasonable. Give them seven weeks to cool down. If they still want to get rid of him after seven weeks, then they will. Sometimes important decisions should be taken with care, rather than on the spur of the moment.

Is it a legal option under the Canadian constitution?

Well the Governor General has the power, but there's always some debate on the context under which that power can be exercised.

The good news is that this is Canada we are talking about, which means it doesn't matter.

Its not unreasonable. Give them seven weeks to cool down. If they still want to get rid of him after seven weeks, then they will. Sometimes important decisions should be taken with care, rather than on the spur of the moment.

 

I agree in theory, but it still seems like a bad idea. This is just going to make them angrier. And if they were vocally trying to oust before, they'd look foolish for backing off once they've been sent to the time out box. It would be like admitting childishness.

otoh, if their voters calm down then there'll be less democratic pressure on them to act aggressively/rashly to please their angry voters.

 

I always thought some kind of 'knee-jerk' rule, where, under certain circumstances, you could forbid paliament to discuss an issue for a month or two, would result in saner legislature.