Prime Minister Stephen Harper was at a Waterloo company on Wednesday morning talking about supporting small business and repeating warnings about a potential coalition.

Harper and his wife, Laureen, stopped in at Sports Systems Unlimited Corporation, a company that makes aluminum dasher boards that are used around ice rinks, in NHL arenas and other hockey venues.

Harper is promising a ‘cultural shift' within the government, so that each time a new regulation is applied to business, an existing one must be eliminated.

He says "We're committed to reducing the regulatory burden on small business while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety and environmental protection."

On the surging popularity of the NDP, especially in Quebec, Harper told voters their choice is a Conservative majority that will focus on the economy or a coalition with an unknown agenda.

"The fact that the NDP may be the leading opposition party, that I think that actually clarifies the choice for Canadians. It makes it very clear the choice is between on the one hand somehow dealing with our economic challenges through vastly higher levels of permanent spending and raising taxes and also a diversion in constitutional negotiations, or focusing on the economy, keeping taxes down and creating jobs."

He also told those in attendance the economic policies proposed by the other parties are not credible, and Canadians shouldn't trust a group who won't reveal their real platform until after the election.

There were only two protesters at the Waterloo appearance. They say there is a critical issue not being discussed in this election.

Greg Michalenko says "I'm really concerned about how the environment is being neglected in this election and I'm really scared of the Conservatives' environmental policies or lack of them."

As at previous events, the campaign stop was scripted and restricted to invited guests. It is part of a formula that political scientist Jason Roy believes has been successful.

The Wilfrid Laurier University professor says "I think Harper has done a great job managing in a way damage control, really. He's had a number of different issues that have come up throughout the campaign, none of which, I believe, have stuck."

Harper wouldn't comment on the rapid transit system would be best for Waterloo Region, but did confirm the federal government will only contribute the maximum $265 million already committed.