Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has dissolved Parliament and called an early election, kicking off a campaign he hopes will strengthen his minority government.

The Conservatives unseated the Liberal Party in 2006 after nearly 13 years in power, but as a minority government the Conservatives have had a tenuous hold on power, forced to rely on opposition lawmakers to pass legislation and adopt budgets.

The party must win an additional 28 seats to gain a majority in Parliament, and although Harper has played down that possibility, recent show the right wing party has a good shot.

Harper has visited Governor General Michaelle Jean on Sunday morning and asked her to dissolve Parliament. He has announced the October 14 election in a statement handed to reporters in Ottawa.