The tactics of government obstruction and sabotage witnessed in the House of Commons in the last few weeks were deeply troubling. Instead of answering questions in the House or dealing with legitimate and substantive issues in Committee, Conservative members disrupted proceedings. It is time for the Conservatives to throw away their play book, and to make Parliament work.

Our leader, Stéphane Dion, urged the Conservative government to act on a number of legislative and committee priorities, including: allowing debate and a vote in the House on Commons on Bill C-30, the amended Clean Air Act, and ending stall tactics on Bill C-288, the Kyoto implementation bill now before the Senate; ending obstruction of the Ethics Committee's work to determine how the Department of Foreign Affairs reached a decision to deny the existence of a report detailing allegations of abuse and torture in Afghan prisons; and bringing forward the two justice bills that the Liberal Opposition has offered to fast track for many months. While the Conservatives finally answered our call by naming a new chair for the Official Languages Committee, they have yet not to move on all other points.

Mr. Dion also called on the Conservative government to ensure Canada's approach to foreign ownership is able to keep up with the practices of our competitors in global markets.

To that end, we demanded the government: immediately appoint a blue ribbon panel of experts to review the issues and make recommendations on changes to the Investment Canada Act within three months; and hold back decisions on major foreign acquisitions and any changes to foreign ownership rules until after this process has been completed.

Mr. Dion said that, parallel to the work of this panel, a special sub-committee of the Finance Committee and the Industry Committee of the House of Commons should hold hearings on these matters over the summer. Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale said the Liberal caucus is committed to rolling up its sleeves and getting a number of important bills passed in the remaining weeks before the summer recess. Canadians want and expect their political representatives to work together for the benefit of the country and its citizens. This is especially true in a minority situation which — in Mr. Harper's own words — obliges the Prime Minister and his government to consult, to listen and to accommodate the views of the Opposition.

Liberals want to see some real progress made on some critical issues. Canadians become frustrated and disillusioned when the things that are important to them take a back seat to political ambition and party politics.

• The Hon. Lucienne Robillard is the Liberal MP for Westmount-Ville Marie and the Deputy House Leader.