WINNIPEG — Federal NDP Leader Jack Layton says the federal government has time to take action on climate change before the next election.

Speaking to about 600 delegates at the Manitoba NDP's annual convention, Layton said legislation could be passed in the next few weeks on fuel efficiency standards for the auto sector and firm limits on the country's biggest polluters.

Layton says the legislation could be passed before the federal budget this spring, which will be the next real point where the government could fall.

Layton says he'd rather get things done in Parliament than trigger an election, but isn't talking yet about making deals with the federal Conservatives.

Layton says federal politicians need to do everything they can now while there is international support from people of all ages to make climate change a priority.