SAINT-HYACINTHE - The Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe urged party faithful on Sunday to prepare for a tough battle and to roll up their sleeves for the elections, which are becoming increasingly likely, he said.

With a 95.3 per cent confidence vote from his troops Saturday, the Bloc leader offered them a strong election speech at the end of the bi-annual party general council meeting, held in Saint-Hyacinthe throughout the weekend.

Gilles Duceppe tried to gain steam from his party Sunday, asking them to be ready for a possible federal election because he believes it is increasingly clear it's on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's agenda.

Noting that the federal budget is expected out soon, Duceppe sent a warning to the Canadian prime minister.

"If it does not meet our expectations, Quebecers will understand that Stephen Harper has given up on Quebec," he said.

"And Quebecers will remember that in the next election!"

Duceppe has also engaged in attacks against both the Conservatives and the Liberals, two parties he said favour Ontario at the expense of Quebec.

Only the NDP was somewhat spared, when Duceppe called it a "party that sometimes has nice ideas, with proposals that often meet our own."

But in the same breath, Duceppe diminished the importance of the NDP.

"In Quebec, the NDP is in no position to make a difference. In Quebec, the only party able to stand in the way Stephen Harper is the Bloc Quebecois."

With the impending elections, which could be set in motion as early as March if a majority of MPs vote against the federal budget, Duceppe was more combative in the last minute of his closing speech to the council.

"Mr. Harper has a choice: He can meet the expectations of Quebec or provoke an election," he said.

"We will stand up for Quebec," he said, reminding his troops - in cities and towns throughout Quebec - the "tough battle" is coming.

"Roll up your sleeves, ramp up the preparations, and get ready for the elections!" he said.

Bloc activists spent two days in Saint-Hyacinthe refining the party's election platform and voting on the budget for a possible election. They also participated in workshops on preparing for elections.