Thursday, August 28, 2008

Canadian PM cancels governor general's Beijing trip in anticipation of election call

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has cancelled Governor General Michaelle Jean's planned trip to Beijing for the Paralympic Games, amid speculations that an election call will be made in short time.

The Prime Minister's Office announced late Tuesday that OntarioLt.-Gov. David Onley will represent Canada in Jean's place at the Games, which open on Sept. 6.

The decision allows Jean, who was to depart on Sept. 5, to remain in Ottawa, in case Harper asks her to dissolve Parliament, observers say.

The move comes after Harper had suggested strongly that an early election may be called in the near future. At a press conference in Ottawa earlier on Tuesday, he had said his government was being forced into corners by oppositions.

"The country must have a government that can function during a time of economic uncertainty," Harper said.

"I think you really have increasingly in Parliament two different visions of where we should be leading the country, particularly during challenging economic times," he said.

The Liberals "have tabled an economic agenda that stands diametrically opposed to everything this government stands for..."he added.

Harper had set a fixed election date of October 19, 2009 shortly after he came to power in February 2006. But he said Tuesday that the date only applies to a majority government but not to his minority government.

Leader of the biggest opposition the Liberal Party Stephane Dion responded by accusing Harper of creating a "prefabricated emergency" so that he can rush to the polls at a time that is best for his own party.

"This prime minister is panicking, inventing reasons to call an election and break his word," Dion said Tuesday. The Liberals are the only group to have the chances of replacing the Conservatives.

Two other parties, the New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois, have both indicated they want an election called.

Source:Xinhua

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