CP: Harper touts legislative gains just days after calling Parliament dysfunctional

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is touting a "strong record" of legislative achievement just days after raising the spectre of a fall election by calling Parliament dysfunctional.

In an address to the party faithful that bore all the hallmarks of an election-style stump speech, Harper boasted about the gains his minority government has made while chastising Liberal Leader Stephane Dion for, time and again, failing to force an election.

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The prime minister listed legislation passed, in spite of what he characterized as opposition posturing, alongside infrastructure projects for the Greater Toronto Area as examples of his Conservative government's progress.

"We have established a strong record of achievement over the past 2 1/2 years," he said.

Last week, Harper labelled Parliament "dysfunctional" and warned he would "have to make a judgment in the next little while" on whether it's worth continuing.

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