OTTAWA — Cancelling two break weeks won’t reverse the public opinion hit the Conservatives took for proroguing, opposition parties said Thursday as they urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to immediately recall Parliament.
“We could get Parliament going next week if he really wants to work,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.
NDP Leader Jack Layton said there is work to be done now.
“Stephen Harper has woken up to the notion that closing the House down was maybe not such a fabulous idea and they are trying to find some ways to get some days of work back.”
Bloc Québécois House Leader Pierre Paquette said canceling the break weeks is an admission the Conservatives made an error by proroguing. His party is ready to head back to Parliament anytime.
Wednesday, the Conservatives said they will ask that two scheduled parliamentary break weeks — one in March and one in April — be cancelled. They say there will be a lot of work for Parliament to do once they table their Throne Speech and budget at the beginning of March.
Changing the parliamentary calendar will require a majority vote.
While all three opposition parties appeared receptive, only Ignatieff categorically agreed. Layton wants to ensure there are no strings attached. Paquette said the Bloc also wants to study the proposal.
