One of Canada's two small opposition parties, the New Democratic Party (NDP), said Wednesday it will prop up the minority Conservative government to further its agenda on employment insurance reforms.

That could save the government from a series of confidence votes, including one to be put forward by major opposition the Liberal Party in October.

It is now expected that an election in the near future will likely be avoided, after the Liberals threatened to trigger a fall election earlier this month.

Earlier this week, NDP leader Jack Layton expressed satisfaction at the government's E reform proposals, saying he could start work with the government to get the measures realized.

Deputy leader Thomas Mulcair confirmed Wednesday his party will support the Tories until they pass legislation on the reform.

He said the NDP will support the Tories on the budget vote Friday, which has been ensured to pass after another opposition the Bloc Quebecois announced its support. The government needs the support of only one opposition to pass the vote.

But Muclair's announcement indicates that the Conservative government may be also safe in the more crucial Liberal non-confidence vote in early October. The NDP's support would guarantee the survival of the government, staving off an election.

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff announced Sept. 1 his party has lost confidence in the government and will force an election by voting against the government in any confidence votes in the House of Commons.

On top of that, Ignatieff plans to table a non-confidence motion against the government in early October.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government was re-elected October 2008 with a strengthened minority. With only 143 seats in the 308-seat House of Commons, it needs at least one opposition to pass bills or survive.

Source: Xinhua