Canada's Governor General Michaelle Jean has agreed to suspend parliament at the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, officials say.
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper has won a bid to suspend parliament, blocking an opposition attempt to topple his new government.
Mr Harper sought the move to delay a vote which had been set to topple his minority government on Monday.
Mr Harper says the governor general agreed to his request, unprecedented in the country, after talks.
If the request was rejected, Mr Harper would have had to step down or face a confidence vote he was sure to lose.
Opposition parties had called the vote for Monday, accusing the government of failing to shore up the economy.
Canada's Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to prorogue - or suspend - parliament until 27 January when the government is set to present its budget.
Ms Jean - the representative of Queen Elizabeth - has the right to make a final decision on such matters.
Ms Jean - the representative of Queen Elizabeth - has the right to make a final decision on such matters.
Opposition parties have joined forces, heralding defeat for the government if the confidence motion had taken place.
"Today's decision will give us an opportunity - I'm talking about all the parties - to focus on the economy and work together," Mr Harper was quoted as saying by AP news agency after the meeting.
Mr Harper asked Ms Jean to prorogue - or suspend - parliament until 27 January when the government is set to present its budget.
The Conservatives immediately shut down Parliament, ending all debate.
'Uncharted territory'
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.
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.
"There is no precedent whatsoever in Canada and probably in the Commonwealth," constitutional expert Ned Franks told AP news agency. "We are in uncharted territory."
"There is no precedent whatsoever in Canada and probably in the Commonwealth," constitutional expert Ned Franks told AP news agency. "We are in uncharted territory."
The opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say, without your consent, and without your vote Stephen HarperCanadian Prime Minister
The opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say, without your consent, and without your vote Stephen HarperCanadian Prime Minister
Mr Harper's Conservatives won a strengthened minority in an election on 14 October election but were expected lose the confidence vote.
Mr Harper's Conservatives won a strengthened minority in an election on 14 October election but were expected to lose the confidence vote.
The Liberals and New Democrats have signed a deal to defeat Mr Harper and form a coalition government. The parties - backed by the Bloc Quebecois - said they were uniting because the Conservative government was failing to tackle Canada's economic problems.
The Liberals and New Democrats have signed a deal to defeat Mr Harper and form a coalition government. The parties - backed by the Bloc Quebecois - said they were uniting because the Conservative government was failing to tackle Canada's economic problems.
Ms Jean, the governor general, cut short a trip to Europe on Wednesday and flew back to Ottawa in an effort to deal with the growing political crisis after the three opposition parties formally advised her of their plan.
Ms Jean, the governor general, cut short a trip to Europe on Wednesday and flew back to Ottawa in an effort to deal with the growing political crisis after the three opposition parties formally advised her of their plan.
Ms Jean's other options were to call a general election if the confidence vote goes ahead and Mr Harper loses, or to ask the opposition to form a new government.
Ms Jean's other options were to have called a general election if the confidence vote went ahead and Mr Harper lost, or to have asked the opposition to form a new government.
'Backroom deal'
'Backroom deal'
In a televised appeal on Wednesday, Mr Harper said the opposition pact was a threat to the country's democracy and economy.
In a televised appeal on Wednesday, Mr Harper said the opposition pact was a threat to the country's democracy and economy.
The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons...this means that they have lost the right to govern Stephane DionLiberal leader
The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons...this means that they have lost the right to govern Stephane DionLiberal leader
"At a time like this, a coalition with separatists cannot help Canada," he said, referring to the Bloc's desire for independence for Quebec.
"At a time like this, a coalition with separatists cannot help Canada," he said, referring to the Bloc's desire for independence for Quebec.
"Tonight, I pledge to you that Canada's government will use every legal means at our disposal to protect our democracy, to protect our economy and to protect Canada."
"Tonight, I pledge to you that Canada's government will use every legal means at our disposal to protect our democracy, to protect our economy and to protect Canada."
Mr Harper called the opposition parties' power-sharing agreement a "backroom deal".
Mr Harper called the opposition parties' power-sharing agreement a "backroom deal".
Liberal leader Stephane Dion said the suspension of parliament would only delay the inevitable.
Liberal leader Stephane Dion said the suspension of parliament would only delay the inevitable.
"If Mr Harper wants to suspend parliament he must face a vote of confidence," Mr Dion said in a televised address of his own on Wednesday.
"If Mr Harper wants to suspend parliament he must face a vote of confidence," Mr Dion said in a televised address of his own on Wednesday.
"The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons. In our democracy, in our parliamentary system, in our constitution this means that they have lost the right to govern," he added.
"The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons. In our democracy, in our parliamentary system, in our constitution this means that they have lost the right to govern," he added.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Can the political crisis be solved? What are the long-term implications for Canada? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Can the political crisis be solved? What are the long-term implications for Canada? Send us your comments using the form below.
