The Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Request to Prorogue

Abstract

The unusual request to prorogue parliament, made by the prime minister of Canada Steven Harper just prior to a scheduled vote of non-confidence, provoked considerable debate in Canada. This article examines the events leading up to Harper's request as well as the constitutionality of the Governor General's decision to accept it. It argues that the Governor General followed the only reasonable course of action available to her.