On December 4, 2008, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, of the nation's Conservative Party, won the right to suspend the nation's Parliament through January of 2009. Harper thus avoids having to hold a vote that would allow opposition parties to end his tenure as PM for seven weeks. The move came in response to a December 1 decision by Canada's three other Parliamentary parties - Liberals, New Democrats and the separatist Bloc Quebecois - to form a coalition that would vote the Conservatives out of power and install a Liberal-New Democratic coalition government.Reuters: Canada PM wins suspension of Parliament (December 4, 2008)

Conservatives remained in power as the coalition collapsed in late-January 2009 following a budget proposal presented by conservative leaders which was received with full support from the main opposition, the Liberal party.Reuters: Canada govt survives as opposition coalition dies

In Canadian history, no Governor General has ever been asked to suspend Parliament without the clear backing of a majority of the legislature.Associated Press: Canada's PM says bid to topple him is undemocratic (December 4, 2008) The Conservatives have referred to the planned coalition government as an "illegitimate regime without any mandate to govern."Conservative.ca: No Mandate for Liberal-NDP-Separatist Backroom Coalition (December 1, 2008) Coalition leaders have argued that dramatic action is needed to deal with the economic crisis, which they argue Harper's party has handled poorly.Reuters: Canada PM wins suspension of Parliament (December 4, 2008)

The week after Parliament was officially suspended, Liberal leader Stephane Dion announced his resignation. Although there were originally three candidates vying for the leadership position, both Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc dropped out of the race, leaving Michael Ignatieff as Dion's likely successor.CBC: The new party leader (December 9, 2008)