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1974: There are precedents for significant decisions to made during election campaigns. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was defeated in the House on May 9 on a motion on the budget, and about 10 days later, after India exploded a nuclear bomb, he suspended nuclear co-operation with India.

His government also made a series of appointments and participated in international negotiations on the Law of the Sea. He also established a Royal Commission to investigate the pricing of steel.

1979:After Parliament’s dissolution, Prime Minister Joe Clark condemned the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan and joined the U.S. in imposing sanctions. It was also during the election period that the Canadian government, with support from the CIA, participated in the successful rescue from Iran of six American diplomats who had been hiding at Canadian diplomats’ residences after they evaded capture during the hostage-taking at the United States embassy in Iran.

Clark, however, decided not to proceed with a $2-billion contract for CF-18 fighter jets because he had lost confidence of the House and felt he didn’t have the authority to proceed with the purchase.

2004: Prime Minister Paul Martin attended the G7/8 meeting in Sea Island during the election campaign to represent Canada, raising concerns that it gave him a boost as an international statesman and took him away form the election campaign.

2006: Parliament was dissolved Nov. 29 2005 after the Liberals lost a confidence vote with the election called for January 2006. At the time of dissolution, Environment Minister Stéphane Dion was chairing the UN Climate Conference in Montreal – the biggest international event in Montreal since Expo – on what was arguably the most controversial issue of the caretaker period.

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