Harper, Ignatieff reach deal to avert summer election

OTTAWA — A summer election has been averted.

Sources say Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff have finalized the details of an agreement that will preserve the Conservatives' minority government -- for now.

Under the deal, the parties will each pick two members of a blue-ribbon panel to recommend changes to employment insurance, including coverage for self-employed workers and lower eligibility thresholds.

There will also be more opposition days for the Liberals, which will give them more chances to force a federal election in the fall.

Harper and Ignatieff talked by phone this morning -- the third time they've spoken in less than 24 hours.

The Liberals were threatening to bring the eight-month-old government down in a confidence vote on supplementary budget estimates scheduled for Friday.

CP24- Harper, Ignatieff reach deal to avert summer election - CTV News, Shows and Sports -- Canadian Television

i think Dion, excuse me, I mean Ignatieff is questioning the strength of his own Party by agreeing to avoid an election now. I know that I would not want the country to go through a election so soon. Ignatieff already has Quebec because of Bloc Quebecois support. the NDP is surprizingly strong in Alberta.

I guess it would come down to how Liberal things are in Ontario :lol: