He didn't rule the possibility of his Liberal Party joining two other opposition parties to force an early election.

Recent surveys show that the two parties are neck and neck, with the ruling Conservative Party enjoying a slight edge.

The Conservative Party is trying hard to make inroads into immigrant vote banks in urban areas which overwhelmingly go to the Liberal Party.

In the Oct 8 election last year, the ruling party drew a blank in seat-rich Toronto city, with all the 23 seats going to the Liberal Party (21) and the left-wing New Democratic Party (2).

However, the Conservative Party came close to clinching a couple of seats, including the one held by the glamorous Ruby Dhalla on the outskirts of Toronto.

Dhalla may face a stiff battle in the next election because of some recent controversies swirling around her.

Currently, there are nine Punjabi-origin MPs in the Canadian parliament.