Toronto Mayor David Miller had harsh words for the federal Conservatives on Monday.

With increased talk in Ottawa about a possible federal election, it appears Miller is ready to join the fight.

In a speech to the Canadian Club in Toronto, he criticized the Conservatives even more harshly than usual, accusing the Harper government of abandoning cities and suggesting it is out of step with Canadians.

Miller warned that if the Conservatives don't start taking the problems of climate change, public transportation, hand guns and immigration more seriously, voters will take that into consideration in the next election.

"National governments can change their minds, or Canadians can change their national governments," he told the lunchtime crowd.

"We need the federal government as a partner … Not just for the good of Toronto but for the good of Canada. Cities are doing a lot on their own. But we can't achieve everything our residents rightfully expect without the federal government being there to invest with us."

Miller says he won't endorse any particular party when the next federal election happens, but he will endorse a party's platform that is aggressively pro-city.