Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says Canadians don't want a federal election, but warned his party is ready to go to the polls unless Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets Liberal demands in the upcoming throne speech.

"If, through the throne speech, we see the prime minister wants Parliament to be a rubber stamp, he alone will be responsible for bringing Canada into an election," Dion said during a news conference in Ottawa Tuesday.

Liberal party leader Stephane Dion answers a reporter's question at a news conference in Ottawa Tuesday.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

"If there is an election, we'll be ready, we will win this election."

Last week, Harper held his own news conference to tell opposition parties that if they support his speech from the throne on Oct. 16, they must also pass, at later dates, all items that come from it, or risk triggering a federal election.

Dion said Harper's comments show he doesn't understand how government works.

"He shouldn't say things like he did last week — submit to his will or go to an election. That is not democratic," said Dion. "Parliament has work to do. We can't close our eyes and just vote for every bill. It is unthinkable, what he said."

He accused Harper of trying to take Parliament "hostage" by launching an endless series of confidence votes in the upcoming session.

Dion repeated his demands that the prime minister commit to an end to Canada's combat role in Afghanistan by February 2009, create a greener federal policy, improve the fight against poverty and strengthen the country's industrial sector.

"When we hear the speech, we will assess carefully how it meets what Canada needs and how we, as an opposition, will perform in the reality of a minority government," said Dion.

Dion said he wants to make Parliament work and will propose amendments to the throne speech, which lays out the government's plans.

The Liberal leader acknowledged he has had a difficult month, losing federal byelections in Quebec and dealing with the scandal surrounding the party's national director, Jamie Carroll. Carroll has accused the party of defamation after controversial comments he was accused of making were leaked.

"There has been some damage done. We are a great party. We can take up this challenge," said Dion. "If the prime minister wants to underestimate the Liberals, he will do it at his own expense."

Rae appointed foreign affairs critic

Dion also announced a shuffle within his shadow cabinet, most noticeably appointing his former leadership rival Bob Rae to the high-profile role of foreign affairs critic.

Rae, who was also a former NDP premier of Ontario, does not have a seat in the House of Commons, but plans to run in the next election.

There was little mention of the fate of Carroll, Dion's hand-picked national party director, who became a lightning rod for discontent after he was allegedly dismissive of demands for more Quebecers in Dion's inner circle. Dion said the matter is being handled by lawyers and he is unable to comment.

With files from the Canadian Press