A private member's bill calling for fixed election dates in Alberta was stalled Monday when the legislature voted to shelve the proposal.
Bill 203, introduced in April by Progressive Conservative MLA Ken Allred, called for an election every four years on the third Monday in October, except in the case of minority governments, where a non-confidence vote could send voters to the ballot box immediately.
While debating the issue Monday, the legislature passed a motion from another Tory MLA, Richard Marz, to suspend all debate on the bill for at least six months.
Marz said he feared unions could use the fixed date system to time strikes in conjunction with elections, forcing the government's hand at the bargaining table.
Supporters of fixed election dates argue the system is fair and transparent, and its predictability makes it easier for the government to plan and implement policy. It's also argued that such a system improves voter turnout and prevents the governing party from calling an election at an opportune time.
Allred said he was pleased that the issue has been further debated in the province. He said he believed fixed dates will eventually become a reality in Alberta as a number of other provinces have already made the switch.
British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador already have fixed election dates, as does the federal government. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island have all moved towards introducing fixed dates.
