Conservative leader Stephen Harper campaigns in Yellowknife on Monday. Harper told reporters Tuesday in Thunder Bay, Ont., that the only choice after May 2, the date of the federal election, is a majority Conservative government or a coalition led by the Liberals. Photograph by: Dave Brosha , Postmedia News

THUNDER BAY, Ont. — Stephen Harper is brushing off speculation that he might step down if the Conservative fail again to win a majority government.

Harper argued Tuesday that the only two options following the May 2 election are a Conservative majority or an arrangement of some sort among the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois.

NDP Leader Jack Layton told CBC's the National in an interview broadcast on Monday that Harper should have the first shot at forming government if the Tories win the most seats. But Layton hasn't ruled out taking part in a coalition if the Conservatives can't maintain the confidence of the House of Commons.

Harper has often talked about the grinding effect on the country of holding four elections in seven years. But on Tuesday, he declined to directly answer a question on whether he would step down if the Tories don't win the majority he has explicitly requested on the campaign trail.

Harper reiterated his position that he would accept any mandate his party is given by the Canadian people, even if that means another minority.

"You know I'm not going to take the bite on that one," Harper told reporters after being asked if he'd step aside if the Conservatives fall short of a majority.

"We're in the election to win, and all I can say is serving my party and serving Canadians in my capacity as leader and prime minister is a great honour, it will always be a great honour."

The Conservative leader said being prime minister has been the greatest experience of his life.

"Occasionally, yeah, you complain about some things. None of it compares to the tremendous opportunity I've had to do this," he said. "There are (not) many other countries in the world, even many democratic countries, where a person from my kind of background, genuine middle class background, could be entrusted with this kind of responsibility by the Canadian people."

Harper has led his party in election campaigns in 2004, 2006, 2008 and now 2011. He has repeatedly suggested Canadians are tired of the constant campaigning. He looked somewhat tired himself on Tuesday, and stumbled over some of the words in his speech, despite using a teleprompter.

At one point, he mixed up the words "island" and "world," saying "this country is the closest thing the island — the world has — to an island of stability and security."

Harper said he honestly believes the Liberals, NDP and Bloc will team up to defeat another Conservative minority.

"Obviously, we think such an alternative would be unstable, would not have a clear direction for the country, particularly on the economy," he said.

"In fact, on the economy the only thing they would be able to agree on are some pretty bad ideas, so we think these are the realistic choices before Canadians. I don't want Canadians to wake up and find they ended up with something very different from what they thought they were voting for."

Harper spoke to reporters at the recently built Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, which conducts health research.

He reiterated his party's promise to invest $100 million to create a fund to support brain research and neuroscience.

amayeda@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/andrewmayeda