Canadian PM, opposition reach agreement to avert election

The two sides agreed to form a panel to examine employment insurance (EI) reform, an issue that the Liberal Party views as priority. The party had threatened to topple the government if their demands were not satisfied. The Liberals announced in a statement they would now vote in favor of the government's economic update on Friday, which would mean the Conservatives will stay in power. Harper said he was "delighted" Canadians would not have to go to the polls in the summer and is "optimistic" that a deal on "realistic" changes to the EI system could be reached. "The good news we have today for people is that the breakthrough we actually have is a willingness of the government and the Official Opposition to work together on an important public policy matter," he said at a press conference in the parliament. However, the government will not be safe for long. Under the deal, the panel will report back to the parliament by the end of September, when the Liberals could still force an election with a non-confidence motion; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.