Michael Ignatieff says the Liberals will introduce a no-confidence motion in early October because the Conservative government has failed Canadians.

The Conservatives may beat them to the punch.

Rumours swirling on Parliament Hill today suggest the government is preparing to table a confidence motion of its own when the Commons returns on Sept 15.

It would be in the form of what is called a ways and means motion, a measure that gives the government permission to raise or adjust taxes.

However, sources suggest, the most important measure in the motion won't be a tax at all. It will be the Home Renovation Tax Credit, which was introduced in the spring budget but has not yet been passed into law.

Under the program, people can claim a non-refundable credit of up to $1,350 if they make at least $10,000 in renovations to their property before February 2010.

Conservatives say the program has been highly popular. In fact, the government has been running TV ads for weeks now urging people to take advantage of the credit — with a small disclaimer at the end noting the measure still has to be approved by Parliament.

The message in September will be blunt: Defeating the government means the tax credit won't be law. And home improvers won't be able to reduce their taxes.

The Liberals say that they support the home renovation program and would have passed it long ago if the government had introduced it.

That will be harder for them to do now, knowing that their leader has said Stephen Harper's ''time is up.''

— Chris Hall