Prime Minister Stephen Harper has warned his political opponents that it would be economically dangerous to force a federal election in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami that have devastated Japan.
The prime minister made the connection between the unfolding disaster overseas and the feverish political speculation in Ottawa during an event in Surrey, B.C. on Tuesday.
Last Friday's earthquake is believed to have killed more than 10,000 people, caused growing fears of radiation leaks at a damaged nuclear power plant, and is expected to worsen an already ailing Japanese economy.
When asked whether he was worried the earthquake will hurt this country's economy, Harper said his first concern was ensuring the Canadian government was ready to provide any help Japan might request.
He then added the fallout from the earthquake means now is no time for an election.
"All of these things should remind everybody in Canada and should remind all the parties in Parliament that the global economy remains extremely fragile," Harper told reporters following an anti-crime announcement.
"I don't want to predict how it's going to unfold, I think the Japanese will find their way of coping but the fact of the matter is this should be a wake-up that we can't afford to take our focus off the economy and get into a bunch of unnecessary political games or an opportunistic and unnecessary election that nobody is asking for."
The earthquake has prompted fears the disaster will hurt not only Japan's economy, but also the economies of its trading partners around the world, including Canada.
The Toronto Stock Exchange and the Canadian dollar suffered Tuesday, and there were similar losses in other world markets.
At the same time, there has been speculation that a federal election campaign is imminent.
The Conservative government will table a budget next week, which would force an election if defeated.
The Tories need the support of at least one opposition party to survive, and while Harper insists he doesn't want an election, he's shown little sign that he's willing to compromise.
The Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois have strongly suggested they'll vote against the budget, while the New Democrats have said they're not optimistic there will be anything in the fiscal plan to entice their support.
On Tuesday, Harper urged the opposition to support the budget anyway.
"Anyone who cares about the future of the Canadian economy, if that is their real focus, they will find a reason to support the budget," he said.
"There will be more than enough reasons to support the budget for anyone whose focus is on growth and jobs for Canadians."
Harper was accompanied by Treasury Board President Stockwell Day, who was one three Conservative MPs to announce their retirement last weekend.
Day, Transport Minister Chuck Strahl and Delta-Richmond MP John Cummins all said they won't run again in the next election.
