The Conservative Party of Canada will hold its first national policy convention next March, an indication that the party doesn't plan to bring down the Liberal minority government before then.

In announcing the convention on Wednesday, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said he doesn't think Canadians want to face another election so soon.

He advised Prime Minister Paul Martin to co-operate with opposition parties when the House of Commons resumes sitting in October.

Stephen Harper

"If he's defeated before next year, it's because he wants to be defeated," said Harper.

Harper said the Conservatives are holding the convention in Montreal to increase the party's profile in the province. The party was shut out of Quebec in the last federal election.

"We are determined to build a truly national party...for the next election," said Harper.

He expects at least 25 per cent of the delegates at the convention to be from Quebec.

During the campaign leading up to the June 28 federal election, Harper's party was criticized for being vague on details of its platform – criticism it countered by saying the Conservatives couldn't be more specific because a formal policy convention hadn't been held.

The resulting vacuum led to some candidates making controversial statements about what the party should or would do on official bilingualism, abortion rights and legal reform, among other issues.

Next year's convention will give the party created when the Canadian Alliance Party and Progressive Conservatives merged the opportunity to produce a policy declaration, review its constitution and elect a new governing council.

Harper said the convention will use a grassroots process, giving every member a say in the party's future policies.

Running from March 17-19, the convention will be held at Montreal's downtown convention centre, the Palais des congrès.