Sunday September 7, 2008  1:46 pm

ContentType:Spot Development; ContentElement:FastStory; Breaking:True;

By ROB GILLIES

Associated Press Writer

TORONTO (AP) - Canada's prime minister has dissolved Parliament and called an early election.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper hopes the election campaign will strengthen his minority government's hold on power.

He announced the election in a statement that was handed to reporters in Ottawa on Sunday.

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.

It will be Canada's third national ballot in four years.