Canada dissolves parliament,set for May 2 elections

Harper said the country should go to polls on May 2.

The snap polls was forced following the passage of the no-confidence vote against the minority government engineered by the opposition Liberal Party and backed by two other opposition parties,on the heels of a historic contempt of Parliament charge. It is for the first time a Canadian government would be held in contempt.

Harper said the opposition parties have forced an election that threatens the economic recovery and comes at a time of international instability.

He termed the move as politically opportunistic and said 8220;the opposition parties have made their choice,now we Canadians get to make ours.8221;