Montreal - Prime Minister Stephen Harper won an important and historic tactical victory Thursday in his no-holds-barred confrontation with combined forces of the opposition. But the crisis has also whipped political sentiments in Canada up to a level of aggression not seen for decades in Canadian politics, with strident and searing comments about treason and sedition against an opposition alliance with Quebec separatists.
In a highly unusual step, Governor General Michaelle Jean, Canada's head of state, agreed to Harper's request to adjourn parliament until January 26, 2009.
The move, just two weeks after parliament began seating, allowed Harper to hang on to his job for at least another seven weeks. No prime minister had ever asked for Parliament to adjourn so early and solely to avoid a vote of no-confidence.
"Today's decision will give us an opportunity - I'm talking about all the parties - to focus on the economy and work together," Harper said as he left the governor general's residence at Rideau Hall in Ottawa after a two-and-a-half hour meeting.
The minority Conservative government led by Harper had been headed for an almost certain defeat Monday at the hands of a centre-left coalition, angry over the government's provocative economic statement that included no stimulus package for Canada's slumping economy.
To make matters worse, Harper had suggested cutting public financing to political parties, a move that would have devastated the opposition parties.
Harper's miscalculation helped to forge an unlikely alliance between the centre-left Liberal Party; their rivals on the left, socialist New Democratic Party (NDP); and the Liberals' arch foe, the separatist Bloc Quebecois party, which advocates for sovereignty for the French-speaking province of Quebec.
The Liberals and NDP agreed on a formal coalition with support from the Bloc and signalled their intention to defeat the government at the first opportune moment.
With the parliament prorogued, the Tories won some breathing space.
But the parliamentary crisis, which has Canadians glued to the screens of their TV sets, is far from over.
The Conservatives will face another confidence test after the House of Commons returns January 26 as they present their budget on the following day.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said only a "monumental change" of tone from the prime minister would change his position on toppling the government.
"Warm sentiments are not enough. His behaviour must change," Dion said, accusing Harper of running away from Parliament.
The government took office just two weeks ago, after Conservatives won an enhanced minority in October 14 parliamentary elections. After the defeat, Dion, who had led the Liberals to their worst ever showing, resigned effective May 2, remaining as interim party leader to give the Liberals time to decide on a successor.
Yet in a stunning change of political fortunes, he could become prime minister, at least until the embattled Liberals choose another leader in May.
The Liberals' controversial deal with the separatist Bloc has exposed the opposition coalition to charges of treason and sedition by some Tory legislators.
"They have actually written a deal giving the separatists a veto over every decision of the Canadian government," said Bob Dechert, a Conservative MP from Mississauga, Ontario. "That is as close to treason and sedition as I can imagine."
Harper went on national television Wednesday evening to denounce the Liberals and New Democrats.
"At a time like this, a coalition with separatists cannot help Canada," Harper said.
