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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Canadian PM calls snap election | Canadian PM calls snap election |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an early election for 14 October in a bid to strengthen his minority Conservative government. | Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an early election for 14 October in a bid to strengthen his minority Conservative government. |
| He met Governor General Michaelle Jean - the representative of Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II - to request the dissolution of parliament. | He met Governor General Michaelle Jean - the representative of Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II - to request the dissolution of parliament. |
| The latest polls indicate the Conservatives are ahead of the opposition Liberals. | The latest polls indicate the Conservatives are ahead of the opposition Liberals. |
| The PM, elected in 2006, has complained that parliament is deadlocked. | The PM, elected in 2006, has complained that parliament is deadlocked. |
| The vote will be Canada's third national election in four years. | The vote will be Canada's third national election in four years. |
| 'Global economic trouble' | |
| Mr Harper's government has needed the support of the main opposition parties, the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois, to pass legislation and adopt budgets. | |
| The election call had been widely expected, with Mr Harper complaining in recent weeks that parliament had been deadlocked on several key issues. | |
| Holding the election this year breaks Mr Harper's own fixed-date election law, something he had said was necessary to prevent prime minister's calling elections when polls indicated they were in a favourable position. | |
| "Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble," Mr Harper said in a statement. | |
| The opposition leaders are expected to make their own addresses later on Sunday. |