One possible (and easy) way to give the House of Commons authority...

... over its own prorogation or dissolution is described in this article (h/t to Impolitical).

According to the article, all the House of Commons would need to do is pass a motion stating that any Prime Minister who would prorogue or dissolve Parliament before a vote in the House of Commons would do so in contempt of Parliament. (I would presume that this wouldn't be the case when an election is required by the Constitution, though.)

Of course, Harper has already done a lot in contempt of Parliament (such as refusing to turn over documents relating to the Afghan detainee issue despite the passage of a motion in Parliament)... Still, the precedent would be set to move the power to Parliament (where it should have been in the first place).

Hopefully, such a motion is passed by the Opposition immediately after Parliament reconvenes.

The larger issue of the more powerful-than-expected Governor General will require much more work (and effectively unanimous support) to resolve, though...

Peace and long life.