Harper To Reveal Fall Election Decision This Week

Hamilton, Ontario (AHN) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper indicated he is close to announcing a decision this week or next week whether to hold a national election by fall.

"Obviously the election will not be in October 2009, and it's obvious I will have to analyze the parliamentary situation," Harper said.

He is pushing for an earlier federal poll because of the failure of the Commons to concentrate on legislating vital laws, but instead focuses on parliamentary investigations. Harper will meet first with the three opposition leaders before he will decide on the exact date of the next election.

Opposition leaders Giles Duceppe of the Bloc Party and Jack Layton of the New Democratic Party favor an early election.

Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion said in a press conference, "It's not my job to go into an election because the Prime Minister asked me to go into an election. My job is to replace him and timing is important."

Dion said Harper is bent on having an election at least a year ahead of the original schedule because the Conservative party's popularity is on a down swing and it has to have the poll soon because delaying it further may mean electoral loss for Harper's party.