A Canadian general election was held on October 14, 2008, after Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's request that Parliament be dissolved. Harper and the Conservative Party were reelected, but did not obtain enough seats to gain a majority.The Star: Canada's Conservatives win re-election (October 15, 2008)

• Conservative Party of Canada - Stephen Harper
• Liberal Party - Stephane Dion
• Bloc Quebecois - Gilles Duceppe
• Green Party of Canada - Elizabeth May
• New Democratic Party of Canada - Jack Layton

Just seven weeks after the election, the leaders of the New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party and the Bloc Quebecios Party agreed to form a coalition Liberal-New Democrat party in an attempt to defeat the Conservatives. However, this plan was quashed after Michaelle Jean agreeed to Harper's request that Parliament be suspended until January 26, 2009..Reuters: Canada PM wins suspension of Parliament (December 4, 2008) Shortly thereafter, opposition Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion announced his resignation. After his opponents dropped out of the race, Michael Ignatieff is set to become the next Liberal leader.The Globe and Mail: An aura of inevitability surrounds Ignatieff (December 9, 2008)

"The country must have a government that can function during a time of economic uncertainty. If it's not this government, or not this parliament, the public will have an opportunity to decide whom."—Stephen HarperFinancial Times: Canadian PM hints at general election (August 27, 2008)

"Does the Parliament work? Yes. Does the government have the certainty to survive? The answer is no. It was no two years ago. There is nothing new."—Opposition leader Stephane DionNational Post: Canadians heading to the polls: Dion (September 2, 2008)