2008–2009 Canadian parliamentary dispute
On December 4 , 2008 , Governor General Michaëlle Jean ( the representative of the Canadian monarch and head of state , Elizabeth II ) granted Prime Minister Stephen Harper ( the head of government ) a prorogation on the condition that parliament reconvene early in the new year; the date was set as January 26 , 2009 . 
<triplet> Michaëlle Jean <subj> Governor General <obj> position held <triplet> Canadian monarch <subj> Elizabeth II <obj> officeholder <triplet> Prime Minister <subj> Governor General <obj> appointed by <triplet> Stephen Harper <subj> Prime Minister <obj> position held