Canada PM defends minority government

The prime minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, said he will use every legal means to block plans by the opposition to overthrow his minority government.



In a televised address Mr. Harper said that a coalition government backed by separatists would not help Canada in the face of a global economic crisis.



Mr. Harper is today expected to ask the governor general Michaelle Jean to suspend parliament to avoid a confidence vote next week.



The opposition Liberals say parliament should only be suspended afterwards.



The governor general is the representative in Canada of the head of state, Queen Elizabeth, and has the constitutional right to make a final decision on such matters.



The governor general cut short a trip to Europe on Wednesday and flew back to Ottawa in an effort to deal with the growing political crisis after the three opposition parties formally advised her of their plan.



The Liberals and New Democrats agreed on Monday to form an alliance, backed by the Bloc Quebecois, saying the Conservative government was failing to tackle Canada\'s economic problems.