Opposition parties on Friday demanded the Conservative government make public a reported 200-page guidebook on how to create chaos in parliamentary committees.

MPs from all three opposition parties used question period to call on the government to table the alleged document, which was reported in the National Post.

The guidebook, reportedly handed out to selected Conservative MPs, offers advice on how to favour government agendas, select party-friendly witnesses, coach favourable testimony, obstruct debate and, if needed, storm out of committee meetings.

"Table this playbook so Canadians can see how petty, vindictive and undemocratic this government is," said NDP MP Libby Davies.

Bloc Québécois MP Monique Guay said the document shows a "flagrant lack of respect for government," alleging it was being "deliberately guided by the Prime Minister's Office."

"Table the manual of dirty tricks. It's a contempt for democracy akin to Richard Nixon," said Liberal MP Ralph Goodale, referring to the former American president forced out of office by the Watergate scandal.

Government House Leader Peter Van Loan argued most of the obstruction comes from opposition parties. Committees dealing with the Conservative justice package have been delayed by hundreds of days, he said.

"We want to work together with all parties in the House," Van Loan said.

Rowdy Parliament

Conservatives have recently been blocking votes and motions by opposition members by filibustering in the Senate as well as at a number of House of Commons committees.

Opposition parties say the political manoeuvring has forced Parliament into a state of gridlock, while the Conservatives complain the three opposition parties are behaving as if they are a coalition government.

Conservative MPs didn't show up at the official languages committee meeting Thursday to hear witnesses criticize their government for killing the court challenges program.

Tories had cancelled the meeting when it was initially set to take place last week, leading the opposition to vote out the Conservative committee chair.

Conservatives on at least two other committees Thursday filled hours and hours of committee time debating when to hear witnesses.

The opposition calls come as Parliament heads into a week-long break from the increasingly hostile and raucous mood in the House.

The testiness didn't end Friday, as Liberal MP Marlene Jennings accused Treasury Board President Vic Toews of being disrespectful by saying "take your medication" during an emotional exchange in question period.

Toews then accused Jennings of consistently "yelling and screaming" during question period.

Liberal MP Mauril Belanger suggested all MPs take advantage of the break to help cool down tempers.