Canada’s New Government Delivers on Fixed Date Elections

Today, Canada’s New Government took another step toward strengthening accountability and democracy in Canada with the granting of Royal Assent to Bill C-16. The Bill, which establishes fixed dates for general elections, will significantly alter the process for calling elections.

“This important piece of legislation will ensure fairness in the electoral process by eliminating the power of the governing party to call an election to capitalize on favourable political circumstances,” said Peter Van Loan, Minister of Democratic Reform.

“The previous Liberal government repeatedly abused the power to call general elections and this legislation will strengthen accountability and provide certainty by setting October 19, 2009 as the date for the next general election.”

After each general election, the legislation (which does not affect the constitutional powers of the Governor General) sets the date of the following election for the third Monday in October, four calendar years in the future.

The Prime Minister recently identified the strengthening of Canada’s democratic institutions as a priority and Canada’s New Government will continue to move forward with its agenda in this area.

“With the passing of C-16 in the Senate, Canada's New Government has fulfilled another commitment we made to Canadians in the last election campaign.

Next week we will continue to move forward on our agenda to strengthen accountability and democracy in Government, which includes legislation on limiting the terms of Senators to 8 years and legislation to give Canadians a say in who represents them in the Senate.

We call on all parties in the House of Commons and in the Senate to support the Government as it moves forward with its agenda,” continued Van Loan.

For information, contact:

Michael White
Communications Assistant
Office of the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform
(613) 995-7226

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