Ignatieff defends House absences as part of his job while

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Ignatieff defends House absences
CBC News
Posted: Apr 16, 2011 6:15 AM ET
Last Updated: Apr 16, 2011 7:48 AM ET

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadav ... ieff.html#

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff defended against criticisms of his attendance record in the House of Commons, saying he's taken democracy outside the halls of Parliament.

"Democracy happens in Parliament, it also happens out in the road," Ignatieff said in an interview with CBC’s The House. "I've had more open mic town halls with Canadians, taking tough questions from Canadians, across the country, than any other party leader.

"I feel that's very much part of my job."

During the English-language debate this week, NDP Leader Jack Layton slammed Ignatieff for his House appearances, accusing him of having "the worst attendance record in the House of Commons of any member of Parliament."

"You know, most Canadians, if they don't show up for work, they don't get a promotion. You missed 70 per cent of the votes," Layton charged.

But Ignatieff told The House that much of his party's platform was developed from sitting "hour after hour, week after week, month after month" listening to Canadian families in town halls across the country.

"I think that we've done our bit to take democracy on the road," he said.

Ignatieff was also asked why it appears that, heading into the second half of the campaign, he’s not making big gains on Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

But Ignatieff suggested Canadians will start paying more attention to the campaign when the choice will start to become clear who should lead the country.

"I think Canadians … have more important things to think about and as time goes by they think, 'Wow, I've got to make a choice here."