HALIFAX — With an election call expected to come as early as Saturday, Nova Scotia's Tory minority wrapped up a frenetic week in the legislature with another multimillion-dollar spending announcement.

The government of rookie Premier Rodney MacDonald said Friday it had struck a $26-million deal to purchase surplus land from the Bowater Mersey paper mill on the province's South Shore.

The move followed a $65-million deal last week to buy back land from the troubled Stora Enso paper mill in Point Tupper, N.S., and fuelled opposition suspicions the Tories are preparing to drop the writ.

"We have it in our budget, so it's been planned for," MacDonald said after being pressed by reporters on whether the money for Bowater was part of a pre-election spending spree.

"This is not something new. ... We've made a commitment to acquire more Crown land and this is one of those examples."

The province will get about 16,000 hectares from Bowater, but MacDonald said it hadn't been determined which parcels of land would be involved.

Government fuzziness surrounding the details prompted NDP natural resources critic John MacDonnell to question whether taxpayers would see value for their money. He also wondered about the timing.

"I think that if you look at the Stora deal and now the Bowater deal, it makes you wonder ... in particular (about) a close election call," said MacDonnell.

The premier, who took over from predecessor John Hamm in February, has constantly deflected questions on whether he will call an early election.

But a throne speech last week, followed Tuesday by a budget packed with tax cuts and spending, has added to the buzz about a potential vote.

An unprecedented six-day total of 118 bills introduced by the government and opposition hasn't helped quiet the speculation.

MacDonald remained coy when asked about his itinerary for Saturday.

"Tomorrow morning I'll probably be having a light breakfast and go for a walk, and Lord knows where I'll walk to," he said with a slight grin.

But the premier let it slip he will attend an afternoon nomination rally in Pictou-Centre, the seat to be vacated by the retiring Hamm.

To trigger an election, MacDonald must visit Lt.-Gov. Myra Freeman to ask her to dissolve the legislature.

If that happens, it won't surprise NDP Leader Darrell Dexter, who quipped that the atmosphere in the legislature had become somewhat "surreal."

He said his party is ready to go should the election be called.

"My feeling is that tomorrow morning we will be going over writ statements and looking at final drafts of campaign literature," said Dexter.

"I don't think that's a big surprise. It's almost the worst-kept secret in the province at this point."

Liberal Leader Francis MacKenzie said his party is also poised to go, but expressed disappointment at the way the house sitting unfolded.

"The work of the people of Nova Scotia is not getting done and clearly we're just going in circles here," he said.

Friday's session of the legislature may well have been the last for six old-guard Tories, including government house leader Ron Russell.

The 79-year-old politician was asked if intended to be at work on Monday.

"If I was a betting man, I think I'd know what I'd bet on," he replied with a laugh, but wouldn't elaborate.

Should an election be called, MacDonald will be looking to build on his party's minority in the 52-seat legislature.

The Conservatives have 25 seats to 15 for the New Democrats 10 for the Liberals. There is one Independent and one seat is vacant.