Ottawa - Bev Shipley, MP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex expressed disappointment today with the news that months before the next Budget is introduced, Team Ignatieff is telling the media that he will force an election and defeat the Budget.

A source close to Michael Ignatieff told La Presse, "It’s pretty clear for everyone that we cannot support the next Budget, and we will launch an election campaign this spring.” Shipley noted that Canadian voters will be forced to the polls for the fourth time in just the past six years.

"The next Budget will be the next step in Canada's economic recovery. An unnecessary election would put that recovery at risk and is not something our government or Canadians want," said Shipley, adding, "Michael Ignatieff is rejecting the Budget before it is written is another example of his opportunism and self-interest".

For our part, we will continue to support job creation and economic growth through lower taxes and fiscal restraint. If the opposition coalition were truly motivated by the best interests of Canadians, they would set aside political ambition and self-interest and work with the Government to complete Canada's economic recovery.