Canada PM vows to stop opposition

Stephen Harper has been in office since January 2006

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said he will use "every legal means" to block plans by the opposition to topple 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.

On Thursday, he is expected to ask the governor general to suspend parliament to avoid a confidence vote next week.

The opposition Liberals says parliament should only be suspended afterwards.

Governor General Michaelle Jean 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.

Ms Jean cut short a trip to Europe on Wednesday and flew back to Ottawa in an effort to deal with the growing political crisis.