Prime Minister Stephen Harper accused the opposition of being irresponsible Wednesday, saying they are delaying and gutting key legislation to fight crime.

Harper was responding to the decision by the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois to team up at the Commons justice committee earlier this week and water down a justice bill.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper gestures as he stands in the House of Commons during question period on Parliament Hill on Wednesday.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)

The Conservatives had hoped to limit house arrests to less severe crimes.

But opposition MPs want anyone convicted of a non-violent crime, for example car theft or breaking and entering, to still qualify for house arrest.

"Obviously I think it's irresponsible," Harper said. "Canadians elected politicians, not just the Conservative party, to get tough on crime."

"I don't think Canadians think house arrest for break and enter or for auto theft is good enough."

Justice Minister Vic Toews said he will try to work with the opposition to restore the bill.

Warning for MPs

But the prime minister warned MPs will have to face voters if they continue to obstruct his legislation.

"We'll keep trying to push forward some tough-on-crime legislation, but at some point, if the opposition won't pass it, they'll have to answer to the Canadian people."

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler, a former justice minister, accused the Tories of practising "the politics of fear" in trying to paint their opponents as soft on crime.

"All MPs, like all Canadians, seek safe streets and safer neighbourhoods," said Cotler. "The question is how do we achieve it."

Rough ride

The Tories have been getting a rough ride on other proposed bills. All three opposition parties plan to vote against the Clean Air Act, defeating it before it even makes it to committee. The federal accountability act is being held up in the Liberal-dominated senate.

During question period, Harper slammed the Liberal senators, saying they are trying to change the accountability act.

He said they want to create a separate ethics office, increase the amount of money that can be given to political parties, delay for a year provisions on political donations and grandfather political staff "that shouldn't have been appointed in the first place.

"They're being completely unaccountable and irresponsible," he said.

With files from the Canadian Press