Jagmeet Singh lauds NDP's efforts for new announced benefits

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is taking the Liberal government's move to increase the value of benefits for unemployed workers to $500 a week as a ``major win'' for his party.

That was one of the demands the NDP issued in exchange for supporting the minority Liberal government on a confidence vote triggered by Wednesday's throne speech.

Singh stopped short of saying the NDP will support the throne speech, saying the party is still negotiating with the Liberals on its second demand: paid sick leave.

The Liberals need the support of at least one of the main opposition parties to avoid triggering a federal election and the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois have already signalled they will vote against it.