Canada PM seeks delay in key vote
Mr Harper said the opposition pact was a threat to Canada's democracy and economy
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has asked for a temporary suspension of parliament to delay a vote that could topple his minority government.
Mr Harper has begun talks with Michaelle Jean, the representative of Canada's head of state Queen Elizabeth.
If Ms Jean rejects his request, Canada could face the prospect of a coalition government or new elections.
Opposition parties have joined forces, heralding defeat for the government in a confidence motion set for next week.
Shortly before the 0930 (1430 GMT) meeting, a spokesman confirmed that Mr Harper would ask the governor general to prorogue - or suspend - parliament until 27 January when the government is set to present its budget.
A prime minister's request to temporarily suspend parliament has never been turned down, but nor has such a request been made when the government was certain to lose a confidence vote.
"There is no precedent whatsoever in Canada and probably in the Commonwealth," constitutional expert Ned Franks told AP news agency. "We are in uncharted territory."
 |  The opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say, without your consent, and without your vote  Stephen HarperCanadian Prime Minister |
Mr Harper's Conservatives won a strengthened minority in an election on 14 October election but are likely to lose the confidence vote scheduled to take place on Monday.
The Liberals and New Democrats have signed a deal to defeat Mr Harper and form a coalition government. The parties - backed by the Bloc Quebecois - said they were uniting because the Conservative government was failing to tackle Canada's economic problems.
Ms Jean, 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 governor general, as the representative of Queen Elizabeth, has the constitutional right to make a final decision on such matters.
Ms Jean's other options are to call a general election if the confidence vote goes ahead and Mr Harper loses, or to ask the opposition to form a new government.
'Backroom deal'
In a televised appeal on Wednesday, Mr Harper said the opposition pact was a threat to the country's democracy and economy.
|  The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons...this means that they have lost the right to govern Stephane DionLiberal leader |
"At a time like this, a coalition with separatists cannot help Canada," he said, referring to the Bloc's desire for independence for Quebec.
"Tonight, I pledge to you that Canada's government will use every legal means at our disposal to protect our democracy, to protect our economy and to protect Canada."
Mr Harper called the opposition parties' power-sharing agreement a "backroom deal".
Liberal leader Stephane Dion said the suspension of parliament would only delay the inevitable.
"If Mr Harper wants to suspend parliament he must face a vote of confidence," Mr Dion said in a televised address of his own on Wednesday.
"The Harper Conservatives have lost the confidence of the majority of members of the House of Commons. In our democracy, in our parliamentary system, in our constitution this means that they have lost the right to govern," he added.
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