Officials in the Prime Minister's office say that Stephen Harper will likely call an election next week and send voters to the polls on Oct. 14.
These officials told The Canadian Press no decision has yet been made, but they indicated he will go to the Governor-General sometime between Sept. 2 and 7.
Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe met with Harper Friday morning and said Harper "absolutely wants to call an election."
"It gave me an opportunity to see for myself that he absolutely wants to call an election even if it doesn't jive with his legislation and even if he has to cancel the (Sept. 8) byelections," said Duceppe.
Harper has sought meetings with all three opposition leaders to discuss whether they can agree on an agenda for Parliament's fall session -- set to begin Sept. 15.
"I asked him what the priorities of the government were -- it wasn't very clear," said Duceppe. Duceppe said Harper should be seeking common ground with the opposition parties instead of trying to trigger an election.
The Prime Minister's press secretary, Dimitri Soudas, claims during the meeting Mr. Duceppe said he had no confidence in the government.
NDP Leader Jack Layton is supposed to meet with Harper Saturday but Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has said he can't meet until after the three scheduled byelections.
On Thursday, Conservatives launched their first campaign-style television ad.
Rather than attacking Dion, the commercial features Canadians describing what they like about Harper. It seems designed to portray a kinder, gentler side of the prime minister.
"Stephen Harper's the kind of person who knows where he stands. He's a straight up guy," says one man.
"He's doing a good job," another says. "He's the steady hand we need when the world's economy is so uncertain."
Dion has also stepped up his pre-election rhetoric. On Thursday, he portrayed his party as a champion of the arts during a campaign-style announcement in Montreal.
He pointed to Harper's plans to cut $45 million in arts and culture funding. He said a coming election would serve as a referendum on the arts in Canada.
With files from The Canadian Press
