COURTENAY, B.C. — Offensive comments by a Liberal party executive on the Internet are more evidence of an election campaign that has gotten "a bit out of hand," says Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

He was speaking a day after Mike Klander resigned as executive vice-president of the federal Liberal party's Ontario wing for online remarks comparing Olivia Chow - NDP candidate for the Toronto riding of Trinity-Spadina - with chow chow dog.

Klander had posted pictures of Chow and the dog on his Internet weblog - or blog - under the heading Separated At Birth.

The blog also contained an offensive reference to NDP Leader Jack Layton, who is married to Chow.

During a campaign stop Tuesday on Vancouver Island, Harper said he hadn't seen the blog but his wife filled him in.

He said the remarks show the Liberal party has a lot to answer for in the Jan. 23 federal election, beginning with Justice John Gomery's report on the misuse of advertising dollars.

"The Liberal party is coming into this election with a corruption report from a judge.

"I don't think it helps itself by running a campaign of personal attack and slur, which is what it has been doing - comparing political opponents to animals. . . . I think this has gotten a bit out of hand."

Klander's blog also mocked Harper's Conservatives for organizing photo-ops with the party leader and attractive candidates.

A Liberal party spokesman has said Klander's blog was personal and did not reflect the view of the party.