Opposition says Canadian election soon

OTTAWA, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Canada's Liberal opposition leader says he has nothing in common with Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper and an election is imminent.

Stephane Dion met with Harper Monday afternoon at the prime minister's home in Ottawa, and Dion told reporters afterward it wasn't a friendly encounter.

"He (Harper) asked me, 'Do we have common ground about the orientation of the country?' I said, 'You and me know that the answer is no. It has never been yes,'" Dion said.

Harper has been complaining in recent weeks the three opposition parties, led by the Liberals, have made governing near impossible for his minority government. The Toronto Star said Tuesday he is expected to ask the governor general to dissolve Parliament a year early and call for a federal election on Oct. 14.

The Conservative Party last week began airing radio and television ads praising Harper's leadership, which critics said was tantamount to campaigning before an election.