Canadian election possible in early May

OTTAWA, March 3 (UPI) -- The possibility has arisen Canada could face a federal election in early May, six weeks after the federal budget is offered by the minority government.

Conservative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced in Ottawa the minority government will unveil its proposed federal budget March 22, saying it would "not make dangerous new government spending commitments that would trigger higher taxes, kill jobs and reverse Canada's fragile economic growth."

However, the Conservatives would need the support of at least one of the three opposition parties in order to avoid a non-confidence vote that would force an election.

Both the Liberals and separatist Bloc Quebecois parties have indicated they will vote against the budget, Postmedia News said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government's hopes of avoiding an election appear to be pinned to the diametrically opposed socialists in the New Democratic Party, the Globe & Mail reported.

If the budget is voted down, it would trigger a fourth federal election in 7 years.

Meanwhile, various media reported Harper and his wife had yet to respond to the royal wedding invitation for British Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 in London. That date is within days of the Canadian mandate for an election within 6 weeks of a non-confidence vote.