TORONTO , Sept 7, SPA -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harperplanned to dissolve Parliament on Sunday, kicking off anelection campaign he hopes will strengthen his minoritygovernment, reported ap. Harper's Conservatives unseated the Liberal Party in 2006after nearly 13 years in power, but as a minoritygovernment the Conservatives have had a tenuous hold onpower, and have forced to rely on opposition lawmakers topass legislation and adopt budgets. The party must win an additional 28 seats to gain amajority in Parliament, and although Harper has played downthat possibility, polls in recent days show theright-of-center party has a good shot at doing so in thecountry's third national ballot in four years. Analysts believe the Conservatives have a better shot ofwinning on the expected election day of Oct. 14, ratherthan waiting until being forced into an election by theopposition with a confidence vote when the Canadian economymight be worse off. «It's about who the best leader is to lead the countrythrough uncertain economic times,» Harper spokesman KoryTeneycke said. Observers said Harper also might want a ballot ahead ofthe U.S. presidential election in November, which could puta Democrat in the White House and encourage Canadians tochoose a more liberal government. Harper has said he is running on economic issues and anenergy tax proposed by the Liberal opposition, but RobertBothwell, director of the international relations programat the University of Toronto argued the move was political. «Harper is going for a majority government. That's reallythe only issue,» he said. Harper has said he expects an election to produce anotherminority government, but Bothwell argued that Harper issaying that because he does not want to stir up Canadianswho worry a majority Conservative government would movefurther right. Harper officials dispute Bothwell's argument, saying thatthe Liberals were unlikely to inspire Canadian voters. Manyexpect Liberal leader Stephane Dion to be removed if heloses the election. «I've not met Barack Obama but I have met Stephane Dionand I think on all accounts he's no Barack Obama,»Teneycke said. Dion was a part of Canada's Liberal government thatopposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and turneddown Washington's request to join. Harper supported theIraq war when he was in the opposition. The Conservatives now fill 127 of the 308 seats inParliament. The Liberals have 95, Bloc Quebecois 48, theNew Democrats 30 and the Greens have one seat. Three seatsare held by independents, and four are vacant. Harper is to visit Governor General Michaelle Jean onSunday morning and ask her to dissolve Parliament. Thegovernor general is the representative of Britain's QueenElizabeth II, who is Canada's head of state, but theposition is purely ceremonial and obeys the wishes of theprime minister. The early election call violates the spirit of electorallegislation that Harper helped enact after he came to powerin 2006. The law fixed the date for the next election inOctober 2009, but a loophole allows the prime minister toask the governor general to dissolve Parliament. An Environics Research survey said 38 percent of Canadianswould vote for the Conservatives and 28 percent for theLiberals. Some 19 percent backed the New Democrats, 8percent the Bloc Quebecois and 7 percent the Green party. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Saturday if theConservatives win next election he will lower personaltaxes to make them more competitive with the U.S. in thenext few years. Since becoming prime minister, Harper has extendedCanada's military mission in Afghanistan. Canada has lost96 soldiers and as the death toll approaches 100 themission could become an issue on the campaign. Harper also pulled Canada out of the Kyoto Protocol, whichcommits industrialized nations to reduce greenhouse gasemissions. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/588064