Harper plans to suspend Canada parliament

OTTAWA, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Wednesday plans to suspend the Canadian Parliament for two months, a move the opposition called "almost despotic."

Dmitri Soudas, a Harper spokesman, said the suspension, until after the Vancouver Olympics, will give the government time to discuss the economic action plan with the public, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. Harper talked to Governor General Michaelle Jean, who functions as head of state, before making the announcement.

Liberal leader Ralph Goodale called the move "almost despotic" and "beyond arrogant."

"Three times in three years and twice within one year, the prime minister takes this extraordinary step to muzzle Parliament," Goodale said. "This time it's a cover-up of what the Conservatives knew, and when they knew it, about torture in Afghanistan. So their solution is not to answer the questions but, rather, to padlock Parliament and shut down democracy."

Libby Davies of the New Democratic Party said she was "appalled" and accused Harper of trying to evade opposition questions about Afghanistan.