I was stunned as we rolled into 2010 to hear that Harper had prorogued government yet again.  Steve says they need the time to regroup, so they can focus on the economy.  The opposition thinks it's to avoid dealing with the investigation into Afghan detainees.  Source: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Opposition+parties+object+postponement+Parliament+months/2392037/story.html

Does it not bother anyone that we're paying these people to NOT go to work?

As usual, Rick Mercer is a good read: http://www.rickmercer.com/blog/index.cfm/2010/1/5

I can imagine these private conversations Harper is having with the Governor General:

In 2007:
PM: I want to shut down government for a while.
GG: Why?
PM: Dion is getting traction with the environment, Afghanistan withdrawal is heating up, and we have a provincial election in Ontario.  I don't like Ontario, but I don't want to jeopardize any conservative ridings.
GG: Okay, but just this once.

In 2008:
PM: I want to shut down government for a while.
GG: Again?  Why?
PM: Cuz the opposition outnumbers us, and if they decide to, they can legally pick their own PM.  I like being boss.
GG: Okay, but this better be it.

In 2010:
PM: I want to shut down government for a while.
GG: What?  Again?
PM: Yeah.  We're working so hard.. we need time to sit back and think.  Can't do that with all these questions flying about or, y'know, having stuff to do.
GG: Okay, but this is the last time.

Wasn't the first shutting down of parliament in dec 08?

But yeah, is this going to be a yearly thing now?  Conservatives have used polling to say that Canadians are indifferent to proroguing, but does that mean they should do it?  Really stupid if you ask me.

Sorry, we're both right!  I was indeed thinking of the 2008 prorogation (so I'll update the post above), but Harper prorogued government for 2 months in Sept 2007 as well!

Source:http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=481b883e-9298-484f-8d1b-d1ca07fb7329&k=41084