On May 30, 2006 the federal government introduced a bill (C-16) in the House of Commons to set fixed federal election dates.

Under a fixed-election date system general elections would be held every four years on the third Monday in October.

Currently, it's up to the prime minister to decide when to call an election any time up to five years.

The CSA has been lobbying for a move to a fixed election date system since the release of our inaugural 2002 edition of the Canadian Travellers' Report Card.

In May, 2006, CSA President Gerry Brissenden met with staff in the Prime Minister's Office in Ottawa to press for their support for a fixed election date system.

Fixed election dates will allow snowbirds to plan accordingly and vote for their federal representatives in their home ridings before heading south for the winter.

Under the proposed system, the next federal election would be held Oct. 19, 2009 but minority governments would still be subject to non-confidence votes.

The new measure is aimed more at majority governments to ensure a prime minister doesn't call an election based on when they think they will have the political advantage.

British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland have already moved to fixed election dates for their provincial elections.

We urge all of our members to contact their federal member of parliament and urge them to support this important piece of legislation.