Canada turned upside down by suspension of Parliament

OUR northern neighbor's political and economic crisis became big enough to merit mocking by "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on cable's Comedy Central.

America's close ally and trading partner has seen an extraordinary turn of events in a fortnight. A week ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced he was suspending Parliament until Jan. 26 to avoid a no-confidence vote that might upend his minority government, which was re-elected in October.

He enlisted the endorsement and permission of the Queen's representative in this constitutional monarchy, the governor-general, to make it happen.

His unprecedented prorogation — discontinuing of the legislative session — outraged his opponents in Parliament. The Liberal Party, the official opposition, the New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois were already livid because two weeks ago the government's economic and fiscal update did not include stimulus programs for an ailing economy.

No small point, Harper proposed to end government subsidy of political parties. His Conservative Party is the fundraising powerhouse, and the others are still broke from the election.

Until very recently, Harper had been talking about a new budget with a small surplus, seemingly oblivious to layoffs and plant closures. Canadians were stunned to hear him at the meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Lima, Peru, joining a chorus about the global economic crisis.

Opposition parties that barely spoke to one another found common cause: Dump Harper and form a coalition government. Not so simple. Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion had indignation to spare — refusing to work with Harper — but no followers. Likely replacements were all intense rivals.

The unfamiliar idea of a coalition government was broadly viewed with suspicion by many Canadians, especially in the West where the Conservative Party is strongest. The idea smelled like an Eastern elite, urban coup.

Parliamentary coalition? Brand new election? How to proceed?

In the past couple of days, opposition politics have roiled as well. Dion of the Liberals announced he was stepping aside. Two of three potential successors dropped out to clear the way for Michael Ignatieff. His winning approach was to shun confrontation and pledge to work on a compromise budget with Harper.

The prime minister changed his tune as well. His finance minister is talking about Canada's recession and acknowledging a role for Ottawa in the bailout of the U.S. automakers. The Big Three, which have big plants across the border, asked Harper's federal government and the province of Ontario for $6 billion in aid.

Monday's provincial elections in Quebec put an exclamation on the political challenge for Harper. The province is no Conservative Party stronghold, but the Liberal Party rebounded from earlier setbacks and splinter conservative factions lost ground.

Harper may survive when Parliament resumes in January, but he has few options. His destiny is linked to a Liberal decision to demonstrate it has a message and can lead, before it made any fast moves.

Meanwhile, the whole country is still angry about his decision to prorogue Parliament. Legal but offensive to democracy and too clever by half.