OTTAWA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday vowed to protect his Conservative government against the opposition party's efforts to oust him.

    A coalition government formed by opposition parties will not help Canada in the face of a global economic crisis, Harper said in a televised address.

    Harper was addressing Canadian as he battles an opposition attempt to defeat his Conservative government. The political crisis was sparked last Thursday after the government unveiled its economic update, which the opposition denounced as being ineffective in dealing with the country's economic difficulties.

    In the five-minute, pre-recorded statement, Harper spoke out harshly against a proposed Liberal-NDP coalition, saying the federal government must stand unequivocally for keeping the country together.

    "At a time like this, a collation with separatists cannot help Canada," he said.

    "This is no time for backroom deals with the separatists. It is a time for Canada's government to focus on the economy and specifically measures for the upcoming budget."

    "This is a pivotal time in our history. We Canadian are inheritors of a great legacy and it is our duty to strengthen and protect it for the generations still to come," Harper said.

    He vowed to take every legal means to protect "our democracy, our economy and our Canada."

    Harper made the address after the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party agreed to form an unprecedented coalition government to replace the Conservatives, with the support of Bloc Quebecois, a party whose ultimate goal is to break up the French-speaking Quebec province from Canada.

    The opposition parties hope to bring down the Conservatives in a non- confidence motion next Monday. But it is expected that Harper may choose to prorogue the parliament to prevent that from happening.