Canada dissolves parliament, election set for May 2

Canada's governor general dissolved parliament on Saturday after a vote of no-confidence in Tory Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government, setting up a May 2 election -- the fourth in seven years.

Canada's governor general dissolved parliament on Saturday after a vote of no-confidence in Tory Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government, setting up a May 2 election -- the fourth in seven years.

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From the steps of the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II's representative in Canada, Harper announced the official launch of the campaign, contrasting his Conservatives' economic recovery plan with the prospects of opposition parties forming a leftist coalition.

"I have met with Governor General David Johnston and he has agreed to dissolve parliament," Harper said.

"On May 2 we will choose between a stable national government or a reckless coalition, between a low-tax plan for jobs and growth or a high-tax agenda that will stall our recovery," he added.