Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion were both talking about election timing Tuesday, but neither would say whether they were willing to trigger a vote when Parliament returns for the fall session.

Harper, who attended an event in Hamilton, Ont., said Canadians will know in the next few weeks whether or not there will be an election this fall.

He said he will review the situation carefully and decide if the existing government is effective enough to continue running the country.

"The fact of the matter is what I will have to decide over the next few weeks is whether or not we can have a productive fall session of Parliament or whether in fact the government, a government, needs a new mandate," Harper said.

"That's a decision, an analysis, I'll have to reflect on … I think we've had a productive two and a half years, [but] I do think that has slowed somewhat in recent weeks."

At an afternoon news conference in Ottawa, reporters grilled Dion about whether he was ready to bring down the government and force an election.

"I will assess it this summer," Dion said, adding that he is currently focusing on winning four byelections set for two dates in September.

He said Canadians are telling him more than before that they're ready for an election "and I take that into account."

Timing is important, Dion says

Dion said unlike the NDP and Bloc Québécois, his party's goal is to form the next government and he's waiting for the ideal time to trigger a vote.

"My job is not to protest but to replace," he said. "And timing is important in politics. Like fishing. It's the same."

Harper said Dion is uncertain about when to have an election because of public opinion polls.

"He's not sure when he'll do that because he hasn't got good enough polls," Harper said. "I don't think that's a particularly responsible position. We can't judge the polls. Polls may indicate, I think polls do indicate, that the next election will in all likelihood be a minority, one way or the other."

Because all parties have indicated an election should be called, Harper said the existing government won't last until Oct. 19, 2009, a legislated fixed election date. Harper does have the option of going to the Governor General before Oct. 19 to explain why Parliament isn't working and have it dissolved.

Dion was critical of Harper possibly exercising that option.

"If he doesn't want to comply with his own piece of legislation and call a general election, which is still allowed under the constitution, Canadians will understand that it's because he's not a man who can be believed," he said.

Dion also fired back at comments made by Harper last week that he may do something to trigger an election because Parliament is not functioning anymore.

At the time, the prime minister laid blame on Dion. He said legislation was being stalled in the Liberal-dominated Senate and obstructed in the House of Commons "principally by Mr. Dion."

"Quite frankly, I’m going to have to make a judgment in the next little while as to whether or not this Parliament can function productively," Harper said.

Dion said the Conservatives are to blame for hampering the work of Commons committees.

"I think his attitude is the irresponsible attitude," he said. "Each time, it's his party that paralyzes the work of Parliament."