OTTAWA–A week of controversy over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's shutdown of Parliament has sent all federal politicians scrambling to respond to what appears to be a back-to-work order by Canadians.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff announced Friday that his party will be holding public hearings on employment, the environment and other big issues starting on Jan. 25 – the week Parliament was supposed to return until Harper pushed the date to March 3 when the Olympics are finished.

"He thought Canadians didn't care and it turns out they do care," Ignatieff told reporters. "They want their Parliament to work and they didn't like the way he did it. They didn't like the way he gambled on their cynicism. And Canadians are not as cynical as he thought."

The Liberal leader was referring to polls and social-network protests, such as a 100,000-plus-member group on Facebook, which show a surprising streak of opposition to the prolonged shutdown.

An Angus Reid poll released Thursday found that 53 per cent of Canadians disagree with Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament, while The Economist, an internationally influential magazine, slammed Harper's "naked self-interest" in putting the Olympics before the legislature.

Ignatieff said that the Liberal caucus's return on Jan. 25 won't be merely a stunt for the cameras, but a genuine discussion on issues of importance to the public.

"We're coming back to work and not just (to) show up for one day. We want to run a series of public hearings, public discussions, public policy forums," he said.

NDP Leader Jack Layton couldn't be reached for comment on Friday, but the party announced he would be in British Columbia on Monday, talking to students about Canada's future.

A spokesman for Layton said some New Democrats are keen to get back to work. Winnipeg Centre MP Pat Martin is one of them.

"I will be on the Hill on the 25th just like we should be. I will be at my desk doing my job," he said.

The New Democrats plan a caucus retreat in Wakefield, Que. Jan. 18 to 20, at which members will decide whether to return on Jan. 25.

Harper, for his part, responded to questions about the anti-prorogue protest on Friday by insisting his government was back at work.

"The government is going to take advantage of this time. We need this time to look carefully at our agenda, to continue to deliver the economic measures that are being delivered here and elsewhere across the country as part of the economic action plan," Harper said.

Though the parliamentary closing means no committees can study any issues, Harper said he is open to input from other parties on setting the economic course ahead.

He also mocked the opposition for their belated response to the announcement of the prorogation – which came a little more than a week ago, during the break between Christmas and New Year's.

"A week after we set the date for Parliament to return, the opposition says they're going to be really mad about this – when they return from vacation on Jan. 25," Harper said.

Ignatieff said Liberals will discuss "governance" during hearings and forums they're holding at the end of January and in early February. In particular, Liberals will try to highlight what they say is a pattern of institutional shutdowns by Harper.

"Mr. Harper shuts down every independent regulator or every independent body who stands up to the power of the Prime Minister. Shutting down Parliament is part of that pattern," Ignatieff said.

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"Every time this guy is in a hole, he tries to shut down institutions that control his power. That's what's bothering Canadians and that's what we're listening to."





With files from Richard J. Brennan

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