Canada suspends Parliament

For the last 8 years, it has been common for internet posters living in Canada to make fun of Americans unmercifully for the election of 2000 (hanging chads, etc.) and various other peculiarities of the American system of government. It appears the old saying is true, "Those in glass houses should not throw stones." Now, the Canadian government is in upheaval as for the first time ever, Canada's Prime Minister has suspended parliament by order of the Queen.

Governor General Michaelle Jean -- the representative of Queen Elizabeth, Canada's head of state -- agreed to Harper's request to shut down Parliament until Jan 26. Parliament was reconvened just weeks ago after the October 14 election.

Harper's request for suspension was unprecedented. No prime minister had asked for Parliament to be suspended to avoid a confidence vote in the House of Commons.

Such a vote had been set for Monday and the Conservatives almost certainly would have lost it, and faced the possibility of being replaced by a coalition of opposition parties.

I had no idea the crown still had so much power over our neighbor to the north. Here's hoping when Parliament reconvenes in January, they are able to govern effectively and not shown to be a paper tiger.