Tempers flared in the House of Commons Thursday, as politicians tried to outdo each other with personal attacks on opponents' patriotism and Canadian-ness.

The heated debate began when Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion demanded Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor resign over his handling of the expenses for the funerals of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

On Monday, O'Connor said the full cost of every funeral had been covered, but on Wednesday, the family of one fallen soldier said they were still owed thousands of dollars. O'Connor has since said his department will cover all the outstanding costs.

"This farce has gone on long enough," Dion said Thursday. "The minister has too often misled the House, shown his incompetence."

'When the leader of the Opposition is able to stand in uniform and serve his country, then I'll care about his opinion of the performance of the minister of defence.'—Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was quick to swoop in to his minister's defence.

"The minister of national defence is a veteran of the Canadian Forces. He has served this country courageously in uniform for 32 years," Harper said.

"When the leader of the Opposition is able to stand in uniform and serve his country, then I'll care about his opinion of the performance of the minister of defence."

Harper's comments were met with a chorus of shouts from opposition MPs, as House Speaker Peter Milliken begged for order.

Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff was quick to counter Harper.

"I can't remember the prime minister's service record," he said, as Liberal MPs around him laughed.

Harper didn't let the remark go unanswered.

"It's true, I've never served in the Armed Forces. I consider that an experience in my life that I've missed," he said.

"But at least I've always lived and worked and paid my taxes in this country."

His remark was a swipe at Ignatieff, a former university professor who taught at schools in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Ignatieff dismissed Harper's barbs.

"We can all play these silly games about who's the better Canadian," he said.

"If they seriously believe that someone who's contributed to this country outside and came back to Canada is less of a Canadian, they should get up and say that to the two million Canadians who live and work overseas."