The opposition parties pressured the Conservative government Monday to meet with the provincial premiers and respond to their calls for increased infrastructure funding. 

Federal relations with the provinces led question period Monday, following Prime Minister Stephen Harper's refusal to sit down with the premiers during their meeting in Ottawa last week.

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair asked why Harper "systemically shuns these meetings."

In response, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Paul Calandra said that Harper has met his provincial and territorial counterparts more than 300 timessince taking office.

While Harper has met with premiers one-on-one, he has never attended a meeting with the Council of the Federation, which represents Canada's provinces and territories. 

Harper was not in question period on Monday.

Calls for more infrastructure funding

At the meeting last week, P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz highlighted the provinces' need for increased infrastructure spending. Ghiz noted while that Canada spends just 3.5 per cent of its GDP on infrastructure, other countries spend more. The premiers agreed that their bridges, roads and public buildings need work, he said.

In an email Friday, Finance Minister Joe Oliver said opposition parties and some premiers "appear oblivious" to the consequences of the drop in oil prices when asking for more infrastructure spending.

MPs raised Oliver’s comments in question period Monday and expressed concern about the state of infrastructure in their ridings.

"Does the minister really believe Torontonians deserve nothing better than gridlock and crumbling infrastructure?" said NDP Industry critic Peggy Nash, who represents the Toronto riding of Parkdale-High Park.

The Liberals also hammered the government on the issue.

"Why is the government ignoring the needs of infrastructure for the city of Winnipeg and other communities across Canada?" asked Liberal MP for Winnipeg North Kevin Lamoureux.

Infrastructure Minister Denis Lebel denied the opposition claims that the government isn't doing enough for provincial infrastructure.

"Ninety-five per cent of (our) infrastructure belongs to the provinces and the municipalities, but they only pay two-thirds of the cost. That means that we are playing a very active role in funding infrastructure,” said Lebel.

The federal government has set aside $75 billion for provincial infrastructure over the next decade. But Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne told CTV's Question Period last month that's not enough.

With files from the Canadian Press