David Empey

Stephen Harper, it is now known, will visit the Governor General tomorrow morning. It is expected that Harper will ask her to prorogue Parliament (which is just a fancy way to say he will ask her to end the session). She should say 'no'.

The only reason for Harper to ask for prorogation at this time is to avoid a non-confidence vote next Monday - a vote Harper's Government will certainly lose. He has lost the confidence of the House, a fact which is evidenced by the Agreement between the other 3 parties (the Liberal/NDP coalition, which the Bloc has agreed to support on issues of confidence). The purpose of prorogation is to end a session after the business of the House is complete - it is not a tool to be used to avoid the will of that House.

It is true that no Governor General has never refused to prorogue before. However, no Governor General has been asked to do so in these circumstances. There is no precedent to follow, but the Governor's General's decision will set one. I hope it is the right one: No Prime Minister should be allowed to avoid the will of Parliament in this way.