from CBC News:
PM seeks Parliament shutdown until March
Tories trying to 'shut down democracy,' Liberal MP Goodale saysLast Updated: Wednesday, December 30, 2009 | 5:06 PM ET
CBC NewsThe Conservative government plans to shut down Parliament for two months, until after the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday.
The announcement triggered immediate condemnation from opposition MPs who labelled the Conservative government's move an "almost despotic" attempt to muzzle parliamentarians amid controversy over the Afghan detainees affair.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's spokesman, Dimitri Soudas, said the government sought the suspension to consult with Canadians, stakeholders and businesses as it moves into the "next phase" of its economic action plan amid signs of economic recovery.
"This is quite routine but it is also important to give Canadians an overview of where we will be taking the country over the next little while," Soudas told CBC News from Ottawa.
P.O.V.: Is proroguing Parliament a necessary move or undemocratic?
He said a speech from the throne will be delivered March 3, followed by presentation of the budget the next day. The session had been scheduled to resume Jan. 25 after the holiday break. ......(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2009/12/30/parliament-prorogation-harper.html