More Signs of a Manitoba Election?

Gary Doer's Manitoba NDP has launched a series of attack ads against Tory boss Hugh McFadyen, one of which (I think) can be found here. Of course, Mr Doer is being cagey with regards to the timing of any election call:

Doer said the ads are not an indication that an election will be called within the next few days but added he would like to hold one near the four-year anniversary of the government's mandate, which is in early June.

The NDP government plans to introduce its budget today, and the Tories have threatened to stonewall its introduction.

Doer would not rule out an immediate election call if opposition parties prevent the budget from being introduced.

However, Doer has to go in 2006 or extend his term into its fifth year, which is usually the kiss of death for a provincial government. Since a Manitoba election call would make a Federal call very difficult to pull off until sometime in late May, which would land the Federal date in some time in June or July, a snap Manitoba election would almost certainly mean NO FEDERAL ELECTION IN 2007.

So live up to your name, Gary.