OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jack Layton says the House of Commons should spend the next couple of months focusing on employment insurance reforms and other matters -- not electioneering.

Layton marked the return of Parliament after a two-week Easter break with a public pep talk to his MPs and party workers, in which he spoke about the toll the recession is taking on Canadians.

Layton later told The Canadian Press that his party -- once eager to defeat the Harper Conservatives at the first opportunity -- will spend the next 10 weeks working on improving jobless benefits and pensions.

The NDP leader says he didn't hear anyone "hankering after an election" as he canvassed voters during the Commons break.

Parliament resumes its run to the summer recess with the Liberal party enjoying a solid national lead over the Tories in public opinion polls.

Pollster Jeff Walker of Harris-Decima says the economic situation has squeezed both the NDP and the Greens and is making it harder for the smaller parties to get their messages heard.