Prime Minister Stephen Harper could be ready to put the future of Canada's mission in Afghanistan to a confidence vote, a move that may trigger a federal election.

Harper's minority Conservative government will give notice Thursday that it is preparing a motion to extend Canada's role in Afghanistan past February 2009. The motion won't be voted on until late March. It will be partially based on the review of the Afghan mission prepared by a panel led by former Liberal cabinet minister John Manley.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion listens in the background at the House of Commons as Prime Minister Stephen Harper explains he will introduce a confidence motion on the Afghan mission in March, a move that could trigger an election.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

But Liberal Leader Stéphan Dion told reporters on Wednesday that while he will add amendments to the motion, he won't compromise on his belief that the combat mission in Kandahar must end by February 2009.

Asked whether he would be willing to go to the polls over the issue, Dion said he didn't want to speculate with respect to an election.

"Debate will happen, and our party will come with amendments, and we hope that consensus may happen," Dion said.

So far, neither Harper nor Dion seem willing to compromise on the main issue of whether to extend Canada's combat role beyond February 2009.

Tories waiting while Liberals 'sort out their position'

Earlier, Carolyn Stewart Olsen, a spokeswoman for Harper, told the Canadian Press the government has not yet declared the motion a confidence matter, but hinted that will change.

"We expect debate to begin next week," Olsen said. "We have time and are willing to be patient while the Liberals sort out their position."

If the motion is deemed a confidence motion and it is defeated, it could force a federal election.

Dion made his comments after he met with Harper for about 25 minutes to discuss the Manley report, which recommended Canada remain in Afghanistan past 2009 if NATO offers more troops and support, especially in the violent southern areas of the country.

"I clearly explained to the prime minister that this mission would require Liberals to make a compromise with respect to our principles, something that we cannot do," Dion said.

The Liberal leader said he has been assured by Harper that there will be enough time to debate the issue and that the vote won't happen before the Tories table their budget, expected to be late February or early March.

He said the amendments would relate to an extended mission and focus on shifting from a combat role to humanitarian and reconstruction efforts after the 2009 deadline.

The NDP and Bloc Québécois oppose any mission extension.

Dion said the Liberal caucus is united behind the decision to end the combat role by 2009. But the Liberals are not expected to allow a free vote on the issue, which has caused divisions within the party. 

When the Harper government forced a vote in 2006 on extending the mission to 2009, 30 Liberal MPs voted with the Tories, including Dion's deputy leader Michael Ignatieff.

With files from the Canadian Press