The federal election campaign is a few hours old and Saskatchewan's premier and Opposition leader are talking up the parties they support.

NDP Premier Lorne Calvert says during the 2004 election, some Saskatchewan New Democrats were convinced to vote Liberal in order to keep Conservatives from winning.

The election saw 13 Tories elected and the New Democrats shut out for the first time in almost 40 years. Only one Liberal, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale, was elected.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," Calvert said. "I don't think people are going to fall for that one again."

With the federal election expected to be close again, Calvert said he may take a more public role in this campaign than he did previously.

Because the NDP is once again likely to hold the balance of power, Saskatchewan would wield a lot of influence if it had some MPs, Calvert said.

Calvert also said while his main job continues to be running the province, he'll also use the opportunity to lobby federal politicians for things Saskatchewan wants, including an energy deal that would allow the province to keep a larger share of equalization payments.

However, Saskatchewan Party leader Brad Wall argues the best way to advance Saskatchewan's interests is to vote Conservative.

"You know, there are two parties that are interested in an energy accord, support an energy accord for Saskatchewan," he said. "One of them has a chance to form the government and the other doesn't.

Wall said that means he'll be voting Conservative but like Calvert he said his main job will be focusing on the province, not the nation.

The Liberal minority government fell Monday evening in a no-confidence vote, a year and five months since the day it was elected. An election has been called for Jan. 23.