An official in Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office says Harper in all likelihood will dissolve parliament by the end of the weekend and hold an early election next month.
The prime minister on Wednesday said only that he had reached a decision and would announce it in the next few days.
If parliament reconvenes as planned on Sept. 15, Harper’s Conservative government could be brought down in a “no confidence” motion if the three opposition parties who together hold the majority of seats band together against him.
The official in Harper’s office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the prime minister would likely dissolve parliament either today, tomorrow or Sunday and set the vote for Oct. 14.
Harper has met with opposition leaders in last few days and said on Wednesday he found no support for his minority government’s fall legislative agenda.
“I received no significant indication of support from them,” said Harper, who added that Liberal leader Stephane Dion provided no assurance that parliament would continue for much longer.
“After meeting those leaders, I’ve made my decision and I’ll let the country know that decision in the next few days,” he said.
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