Canadian PM Cancels Governor-General's Beijing Trip

Canada's Prime Minister has cancelled the Governor-General trip to Beijing for the Paralympics fuelling election speculation.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has asked Canada's Governor-General Michaëlle Jean not to attend the Paralympic Games in Beijing.This request has increased the speculation that an election call is soon coming. Ontario Lt.-Gov. David Onley will represent Canada in Jean's place at the Games, which open on Sept. 6. This means that Jean, who was to depart on Sept. 5, can remain in Ottawa, in case Harper asks her to dissolve Parliament. The prime minister is continuing to consider whether an election needs to be called, a decision he expects to make in the next few weeks. "The country must have a government that can function during a time of economic uncertainty," Harper said. Harper.apparently, does not want to wait for Sept. 9, the day Liberal leader Dion has suggested he could meet with Harper to discuss the issue of whether Parliament can continue as is. Harper has said he wouldn't be breaking his promise to Canadians if he calls an election this fall, a year ahead of the fixed date set by his own government. The next federal election is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2009 , however, the PM has said fixed election dates do not apply to minority governments. "We are clear," Harper said at a press conference at the national archives. "You can only have certainty about a fixed election date in the context of a majority government. "Look, if any of the opposition parties wanted to provide some, any degree of certainty that we'll be here to October 2009, then we'll have an election in October 2009." Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion was quick to accuse the prime minister of creating a "prefabricated emergency" so that he can rush to the polls at a time that is best for his own party. "This prime minister is panicking, inventing reasons to call an election and break his word," Dion said. Bring it on, let's have an election as soon as possible.