Dufferin - Caledon riding federal Conservatives got to see some great local fashions, hear rousing pep talks, and meet the wife of Prime Minister Stephen Harper last Thursday.

Laureen Harper was the special guest at the Falling into Fashion: Fashion Show and Dinner, held at the Royal Ambassador Event Centre, near Caledon East, joining local MP David Tilson.

The fashions came from Bolton's Simply Gorgeous.

Mrs. Harper praised the audience for supporting the Conservative in the last three elections.

While she didn't mention names, she did point out the Liberals are likely to put up a celebrity candidate (Garth Turner) in the coming campaign. "It's going to be a very tough battle," she declared.

She also expressed appreciation for the help riding association members have given to Tilson.

"My husband appreciates it," she said.

"I appreciate it. We appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts."

Riding association President Andrew Carson expressed appreciation for all the hard work that's been done by the volunteers, adding it shows the strength of both the association and the party. He also had words of praise for the work Mr. Tilson has been doing.

"We are proud of David and what he continues to do for Caledon," Mr. Carson declared, adding he's been delivering real results for the area since being elected. "We are ready to stand behind you David."

As for whether an election call is going to come soon, Mr. Tilson told the crowd he gets asked that question a lot.

"I have no idea," he stated. "I can't believe Mr. Ignatieff has done what he's done."

"His caucus doesn't like it," he added. "We don't like it. Members of the public don't like it."

Mr. Tilson stressed that he doesn't want an election now, adding NDP Leader Jack Layton might be able to prevent it. "We never know what Jack's going to do," he observed.

But he added that projections indicate that if there is a fall election the NDP could lose about seven seats. That meant Mr. Layton might be forced to back the government.

"Anything can happen this week," he declared. "Anything can happen in the following weeks."