Canadian opposition party may support government in an effort to stave off election

Opposition party may back government

TORONTO — One of Canada’s opposition parties is signaling it might be willing to prop up Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s minority government and avert a fall election.

New Democratic Party lawmaker Paul Dewar said Monday his party may be willing to support the Conservative government’s proposed unemployment insurance legislation.

Dewar says they are studying it and says it would be “irresponsible” not to support the bill if it really helps workers.

Canada’s main opposition Liberal Party has vowed to try to topple Harper’s minority government in a no confidence vote at the first opportunity.

That could force a fourth election in the just over five years and second in a year if Parliament’s two other opposition parties also vote to bring down the government.