Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was revealed Thursday to be hoping for a majority government in a speech last week, after major opposition the Liberal Party threatened to defeat his minority Conservative government.

Harper's speech, made last week in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was videotaped by someone in the audience who sent a copy to the Liberal Party, which sent it to the media.

In the speech, Harper appealed for Conservative supporters to give him a majority government in the next election, saying if the Conservatives do not succeed in getting a majority the Liberals will govern in a coalition, "propped up by the socialists and the separatists," referring to the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Quebecois.

In the past Harper has avoided to show his wish for a majority to the public, fearing that may turn away voters who were afraid to give him too much power. The Liberals have portrayed Harper as an extremist Conservative with a hidden agenda. The mainstream of Canadian society is considered Liberal.

Harper made the appeal last week after Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff announced their plan to seek the defeat of the Conservative government. Openly, Harper has declared he did not want an election and accused Ignatieff of jeopardizing his efforts to deal with the economy.

On Thursday, Ignatieff responded to Harper's speech by accusing him as "two-sided and spiteful towards institutions, towards Canadians who are helping other Canadians, and for our institutions."

He said over the summer he met with Canadians who would "laugh in your face" if asked whether Harper deserves a majority.

But Ignatieff reiterated his stance against a coalition with the other two opposition parties. In December the Liberals had entered an agreement to form a coalition government with the leftist New Democratic Party and the separatist Bloc Quebecois to replace the Conservatives, but that turned out not popular among Canadians. Ignatieff has since distanced himself away from such a choice.

He said he would seek a Liberal government.

Harper's government was elected in 2008 with 143 seats in the 308-seat House of Commons, a stronger mandate than the last one but still 12 seats short to form a majority.

On Sept. 1, Ignatieff said he would seek to defeat the government through a non-confidence vote at the earliest opportunity after the Parliament resumes next week.