Updated: 07/30/07
About the Fixed Election Dates Act:
The Fixed Election Dates Act establishes fixed election dates for Canadian federal elections every four years, except when a government loses a vote on a non-confidence motion, in which case an election would be held immediately.
Introduction of Fixed Election Dates Bill:
May 30, 2006
Official Title:
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act
Minister Responsible:
Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister responsible for Democratic Reform
Status of Fixed Election Dates Act:
The Fixed Election Dates Bill received Royal Assent on May 3, 2007. It came into force on the same day.
Text of Fixed Election Dates Bill:
Summary of Fixed Election Dates Act:
Previous Timing of Federal Elections
In Canada before this act, a federal election had to be called at least every five years. The timing of an election was decided by the Prime Minister. An election was also triggered when the government lost a vote on a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons.
New Timing of Federal Elections
The Fixed Election Dates Act establishes that Canadian federal elections be held every four years on a fixed date, except when the government loses the confidence of the House, in which case an election would be held immediately.
This act sets the fixed federal election date as the third Monday in October four years after election day of the last general election.
The act also sets out the date for the next general election as October 19, 2009, unless the government loses the confidence of the House before then.
The Fixed Election Dates Act gives the Chief Electoral Officer the authority to recommend an alternate election day to the governor in council if it turns out that the election day is a day of cultural or religious significance or if it conflicts with an election day for a municipality or province. The alternate day would be either the Tuesday or the Monday after the Monday that would otherwise be election day.
Advantages of Fixed Election Dates
The Canadian government says there are four major advantages to having a fixed election date for Canadian federal elections:
- Fairness - A fixed election date eliminates the advantage given to the government party to call an election when conditions are favourable to that party.
- Predictability
- Improved Policy Planning
- Higher Voter Turnout - Weather is generally reasonable in all parts of Canada in October; students are at school and snow-bird seniors have not yet left for the south; all voters are better able to plan.
