Because, in Canada, you now must always signal an election by calling off a trip to China:

QUEBEC and MONTREAL — Quebec voters will likely face another election campaign before Christmas as Premier Jean Charest plans to call an election next week for a Dec. 8 vote.

The stage was set for a snap election when Mr. Charest Monday cancelled his participation in the Council of the Federation’s economic mission to China. The trip includes four other premiers and members of the Canada-China Business Council, who are scheduled to meet Chinese government and business leader next week in Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai. Last Thursday, Mr.Charest, who chairs the Council of the Federation, repeated that he intended to be part of the China mission.