OTTAWA - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper sees Sept 2-7 as the first window to call a general election, meaning a vote could be held on Oct. 14, an aide to the prime minister said on Friday.

If an election were called, the Conservative leader would campaign on providing a steady hand in rough economic waters, and would not offer either major tax cuts or spending initiatives and certainly would not propose tax increases, the aide said.

"This is a time for certainty and a steady hand," said the aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Harper has asked to meet all three opposition party leaders to see if there is any room for co-operation but does not feel obliged to wait for such talks before calling an election.

He met with one leader on Friday and is scheduled to meet with another on Saturday but Liberal Stephane Dion has only offered to meet on Sept. 9. The prime minister's office is taking this as a "subtle hint" that he does not want to meet.

If there were to be an election, Harper would prefer to have it done before the Oct. 17-19 summit in Quebec City of Francophonie leaders, though other windows for elections have not been ruled out.

Harper heads a minority government that must rely on the support of at least one of the three opposition parties to get bills passed.

He has complained about legislation being stalled in the Liberal-dominated Senate and obstructed in the House of Commons, principally by Dion.