OTTAWA– Prime Minister Stephen Harper has extended the life of his minority Conservative government until the new year after Governor General Michaelle Jean today granted his request to suspend Parliament.

Jean made the unprecedented decision after a lengthy meeting with Harper this morning at Rideau Hall.

Her consent to prorogue Parliament means the work of the Commons has been discontinued, allowing Harper's Conservatives to escape a confidence vote next week that would have meant the defeat of his government.

It's a dramatic turn in a political crisis that has gripped the nation's capital — and much of the country — for the last week, since opposition parties rebelled against a provocative economic statement tabled by the Conservatives.

PMO spokesperson Kory Teneycke told reporters later that the Conservative government is prepared to do whatever it can to "defuse the situation" and "get out of the current crisis."

The decision pulls the teetering minority Conservative government a step back from the edge of a political precipice.

But they will face another confidence test when the House returns, setting up the prospect of a fierce battle for public support over the coming weeks.

The opposition coalition had asked Jean to refuse to prorogue, arguing that Harper no longer enjoys the confidence of the House of Commons.

NDP Leader Jack Layton called it a sad day for parliamentary democracy.

"He's put a lock on the door of the House of Commons," Layton said.

Layton said his party will continue to express its lack of confidence in Harper when Parliament begins again next year.

Layton also said his party expects to vote against the government at the earliest opportunity.

When asked why he would try to bring down the government before it delivered a budget, he said"That confidence isn't going to be restored by seven weeks of propaganda".

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: