Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff tells reporters in Montreal on Thursday that candid remarks made by Stephen Harper reveal the prime minister's spiteful attitude toward Canadians. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

Candid remarks made by Stephen Harper to Conservative supporters during a private meeting last week reveal the prime minister’s “spiteful” attitude toward Canadians, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said Thursday.

“This in-camera speech by Mr. Harper has settled once and for all his character as a Conservative leader but also has revealed the true values — the spiteful attitude towards institutions, spite towards Canadians who are helping other Canadians, spite for our institutions,” Ignatieff said in Montreal.

Harper's speech, made last week in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was videotaped by someone in the audience who sent a copy to the Liberal Party of Canada, which sent it to CBC News.

"There have always been two Harpers — the real Harper always comes out when he thinks he can’t be heard," Ignatieff said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper tells supporters last week in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., that a majority government is in reach for the Conservative party. This still is a from a video provided to CBC News by the Liberals. (CBC)

In the speech, Harper said if the Conservatives don't succeed in getting a majority the Liberals will govern in a coalition, “propped up by the socialists and the separatists,” referring to the the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois.

"He treats every adversary as a public enemy who has to be destroyed, so you wonder why it’s difficult for me to continue to support him?" Ignatieff said.

Ignatieff scoffed at Harper's suggestion that a Tory majority government is within reach, saying that over the summer, he met with Canadians who would "laugh in your face" if asked whether Harper deserves a majority.

Asked whether a Liberal government would enter into a coalition with the other two parties, Ignatieff said: "I think I made it very clear by my behaviour last January in relation to coalition politics. I didn't think it was in the national interest. I could be standing here as prime minister of Canada, but I turned it down."

When asked whether he would enter into an informal governing arrangement with the other parties, Ignatieff sidestepped the question.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Ignatieff's answer was ambiguous.

"He could have said 'no.' Instead, Ignatieff gave a circular, 51-word answer and refused to rule out a coalition," Kenney wrote in an email to The Canadian Press.

"Michael Ignatieff dodged the question because he will, in fact, form a coalition if he gets the opportunity."

In the speech, Harper also took aim at the previous Liberal government for subsidizing court challenges by "left-wing fringe groups." By comparison, he said, his government has been bringing in laws to tackle crime. Harper also said if the Liberals had been in power, they would have been putting more “left-wing ideologues” into the court system.

Ignatieff accused Harper of attacking the independence of the judiciary, saying it's the basis of Canadian freedom.

"If you don't respect that, you don't respect Canadians' freedom," the Liberal leader said.

With files from The Canadian Press