NDP house leader laments 'agents of chaos' in precarious Parliament

NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.

NDP House leader Peter Julian said there's more work his party wants to get done in the House of Commons before the next election, despite how chaotic the first weeks of the fall sitting have been.

But if other parties make that work impossible, it could factor into the NDP's voting decisions, he said Friday.

In just three weeks, two Conservative non-confidence motions have failed to bring down the Liberal government — but the Opposition promises more to come.

The New Democrats have said they will decide how to vote on those motions on a case-by-case basis based on what they believe is in the best interests of Canadians.

"We think all parliamentarians should be stepping up at this difficult time so that Canadians get the benefit of support from the federal government," Julian said in an interview.

"Primarily our focus should be on Canadians, and if it becomes apparent that the Liberals and Conservatives are not focused on that, then we'll take that into consideration when we make our decisions."

Julian's constituents have told him they are not interested in an election now, he said, but the party plans to take each decision as it comes.