It appears as though Prime Minister Stephen Harper will not be embarking on his 10th visit to northern Canada this year.

Since taking office in early 2006, Harper has made an annual trip to all three territories and usually northern Quebec, seeing the opportunities the North has to offer as well as the challenges faced by its constituents.

Although the dates for this year’s trip had changed several times, officials are now saying that there’s no time this year in Harper’s schedule, with a federal election looming Oct. 19.

Yukon MP Ryan Leef told the Star this morning he has not heard official confirmation that the northern tour has been scrapped.

Several media outlets, including The Globe and Mail, have already reported that it will not be happening at all.

“If he’s not coming for that, then obviously that would be a clear signal that there’s preparation for the election,” Leef said. “And that, of course, is no surprise.”

With the first debate for party leaders scheduled for early August, it’s expected that the Conservative election campaign will be Harper’s main priority.

This debate will mark the first time party leaders square off against each other in that particular format.

When exactly the election will be called is still up for speculation, Leef said.

Although the federal election is scheduled for Oct. 19, the date on which Parliament dissolves – and the election campaign begins – is still in the air.

As Leef put it, “It’s one of those years where you just know with an election looming there has to be a high degree of flexibility.”

“It looks like it’s not on the books, but it won’t mean he won’t come up at all.”

Aside from the week-long northern tour, the prime minister has made independent stops up north over the years.

When he was in Whitehorse last year during his tour, about 3,000 people were invited by the Yukon Conservative Association for a meet-and-greet with the prime minister.