Opposition parties have united in a bid to topple the minority conservative government of Stephen Harper less than two months since a general election.
Mr Harper has indicated he will ask for a temporary suspension of parliament to stop the opposition voting him out.
But if the vote happens and he loses, Ms Jean would ask the opposition to form a government or call a snap election.
"I think my presence is required in the country," Ms Jean told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation from the Czech Republic.
"The prime minister and myself need to have a conversation... I have to see what the prime minister has to say to me and what he is actually thinking of doing."
Ms Jean is the representative of head of state Queen Elizabeth II and her role is usually largely ceremonial. But developments of the past few days have thrust her into the centre of the political storm. The opposition Liberals and New Democrats on Monday agreed to form an alliance, backed by the Bloc Quebecois, saying the government was failing to tackle Canada's economic problems.
