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OTTAWA - Opposition members are furious that the Tory government has rescinded an invitation for them to take part in the NATO leaders summit, where the future of Canada's Afghan mission will be decided.

The Liberal, New Democratic and Bloc Quebecois defence critics were invited to accompany Defence Minister Peter MacKay to the meeting in Bucharest, Romania, next week.

The Department of Defence sent out the invitations, but then revoked them on Wednesday, saying that NATO had limited the size of the Canadian delegation.

A spokesman for the military alliance has denied a cap on delegates has been set.

"The official Opposition has tried at every opportunity to work in a constructive fashion regarding our mission in Afghanistan, but once again we see from this government an unacceptable level of partisanship, going so far as to hide the facts from Canadians," said Liberal defence critic Denis Coderre.

He said the exclusion of opposition members from the April 2-4 summit flies in the face of the recent Manley commission report, which called on the Tory government to be more open and accountable when it comes to the mission in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will lead the Canadian delegation at the meeting, to take place April 2-4.

MacKay, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier will travel separately to Romania.

NATO leaders are expected to discuss Canada's demand for 1,000 reinforcements.