Has Canada Become a Republic?

I'm a little startled at the Governor General's decision to prorogue parliament today, essentially saving Harper and extending this parliamentary crisis another 6-8 weeks. While there's something to be said for a cooling off period, I don't like the optics of the GG bending to the will of the PM - it seems too much like a republic. The GG, as the crown's representative, is supposed to hold parliament accountable. Granting a prorogation because the parties can't get along seems to let them off the hook. I'd have been happier if she'd sent Harper back into a meeting with the opposition leaders before saying yes to him.

This time off gives all parties a chance to reflect and plot their course. Ideally, Harper will back down and engage the opposition parties to help formulate a budget that makes everyone happy. I think this is a long shot. Until Harper does so, the coalition has no choice but to persist. Another possible scenario is Harper tries to win the publicity war and then uses a defeat of the government to launch an election and a possible majority in the face of a discredited coalition. These prospects are dim, I would hope, in the face of Harper's increased unpopularity and his likely losses in Quebec.

Last night Harper effectively said that if the government doesn't have the support of the house, only the electorate can replace the government. This suggests that even with only a minority of electoral support, Harper feels he should be given the freedom to govern like a majority. This is a twisting of our parliamentary system and completely ignores the obvious - Harper, as a minority PM, is meant to work with the opposition and not fight with them, and certainly not appeal to the electorate every time they disagree with him. Disagreements are likely and understood, but they should be negotiated with compromise and conciliation. Until Harper is willing to show these traits the coalition has to stand strong against him.