Canada Bloc to back coalition gov't for 18 mths-MP

OTTAWA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The separatist Bloc Quebecois opposition party would back a proposed coalition government for 18 months, a senior legislator told Reuters on Monday.

The opposition Liberals and New Democrats have in principle agreed a deal to defeat the minority Conservative government, most likely next week, and then work together.

John McKay, a Liberal member of parliament, said the deal committed the two parties to work together for 30 months once they took power. The proposed cabinet would have 24 ministers, 18 for the Liberals and six for the New Democrats. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Frank McGurty)