Intrigue in Ottawa

NYT:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally requested Thursday that Canada’s Parliament be closed down in an effort to delay a vote that could bring down his new government. Mr. Harper’s move is unprecedented, and comes less than two months after he won re-election. If his request is rejected by the formal head of government — the governor general, Queen Elizabeth II’s representative — the prime minister will have two choices: step down or face a no-confidence vote on Monday he is sure to lose...

BBC:

Canada's Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to prorogue - or suspend - parliament until 27 January when the government is set to present its budget... A prime minister's request to temporarily suspend parliament had never been turned down, but nor had such a request been made when the government was certain to lose a confidence vote.