Tim Ogilvie has started distributing election flyers before a federal election call. (CBC)

A P.E.I. member of Parliament says the Conservative candidate planning to run against him in the next election has jumped the gun.

Even though no election has been called, residents in the Malpeque riding recently received colourful election brochures from Conservative candidate Tim Ogilvie.

Malpeque MP Wayne Easter told CBC News on Wednesday even though it's not illegal under the Election Act, he thinks it's underhanded as the cost of the brochures doesn't have to be included under election expenses.

"We do know that the Harper crowd will go the length to stretch the rules as far as they can," said Easter.

Easter believes the federal Tories have paid for Ogilvie's election material. Ogilvie denies that. He said the money, between $3,000 and $4,000 came from local supporters.

He added that by getting the brochures now he won't have to print up two versions.

"They can be used either before or after an election call. To economize on space and on verbiage. I guess, we just decided to use the terminology, 'Elect Tim Ogilvie.'"

None of the other Conservative candidates on P.E.I. are putting out election brochures, and Easter doesn't believe that is a coincidence.

" I'm one of the people that have challenged [Prime Minister] Stephen Harper on social and economic issues that affect P.E.I.," he said. "If there's one thing Stephen Harper doesn't like it's somebody who stands up and who challenges him."

Ogilvie said he will continue going door-to-door in Malpeque trying to get his name known as much as possible.