OTTAWA – Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe is threatening to bring down Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government unless it makes changes to Canada’s employment insurance system.

In a message posted on the Bloc’s website Friday, Duceppe said the committee set up by the Conservatives and the Liberals to examine the EI system appears to be “an empty shell intended to buy them time.”

“This committee will only prolong the injustice experienced by the unemployed who do not now have access to the system.”

Duceppe, who believes people should qualify for EI after 360 hours of work, says he will wait to see the committee’s report then decide whether to support it.

“If we find ourselves in elections, the Bloc Québécois will be ready. It is already. And I am too.”

Duceppe comments come as Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has suggested he could trigger an election this fall and Harper is warning an election could hurt Canada’s fragile economic recovery.

Defeating the government, however, will take the combined vote of the Liberals, the Bloc and the NDP.

Duceppe’s message will likely quash rumors he is about to resign as Bloc leader. In his posting, Duceppe says he is looking forward to hitting the road again for his annual summer tour and discussing the Bloc’s proposals with Quebecers.

Bloc officials say Duceppe has a busy schedule planned this fall.

Elizabeth.thompson@sunmedia.ca