Canada eyes shift to fixed election dates

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 27 (Reuters) Canadians would go to the polls in a federal election at a fixed date every four years under a surprise plan unveiled by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

If Parliament approves the legislation, to be introduced next week, the next election would be held in late 2009. But Harper's Conservatives are in minority position in the House of Commons and are likely to be forced into an election before then.

The Conservatives hold only 125 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons and will need support from some opposition members of Parliament to win approval for their election date proposal.

Under the current system, elections must be held every five years, but the prime minister has tremendous leeway in deciding when to call an election during that period -- especially if the governing party controls a majority of seats in the House.

Critics charge that the current system is open to abuse and allows majority governments to present budgets packed full of tax cuts and then immediately call an election.

''Fixed election dates prevent governments from calling snap elections for short-term political advantage. They level the playing field for all parties,'' Harper said during a speech in Victoria, British Columbia yesterday.

He said, however, that a government would still have to call an election immediately if it loses a confidence vote in the House of Commons, regardless of the next fixed election date.

The opposition Bloc Quebecois party -- whose support is crucial if Parliament is to adopt the bill -- said it liked the idea of fixed election dates but would wait to see more details before making a final decision.

''We're in favor of fixed election dates. The idea of an election every four years suits us,'' said party spokesman Frederic Lepage.

Together, the Conservatives and the Bloc have a majority of seats in the House of Commons.

Bill Graham, leader of the official opposition Liberal Party, said he would look at the proposal, but urged caution.

''I think Mr. Harper and his government owe it to Canadians not to rush into radical changes at a time when we need reflection,'' he said.

The minority New Democrats, who have been pushing for fixed election dates and a range of other political reforms, were less enthusiastic about Harper's announcement.

''We will have to see the bill ... we do believe that a more comprehensive democratic reform package should be brought forward,'' said spokesman Karl Belanger. The left-leaning party wants to see Canada move to a proportional representation voting system from the current first-past-the-post model.

British Columbia was the first Canadian province to switch to the fixed-date election system, holding its first such vote last year.

Ontario as well as Newfoundland and Labrador have also adopted fixed election dates.

Harper narrowly won the Jan. 23 election, ending 12 years of Liberal rule. It was the fourth federal vote in 8-1/2 years and there is widespread speculation that voters will go to the polls in the first half of next year.

An opinion poll earlier this week showed that Harper would win a majority of seats if an election were held now, but he played down talk of another vote soon.

''No one does want an unnecessary election now and unless we're defeated or prevented from governing, we want to keep moving forward to make this minority Parliament work over the next 3-1/2 years,'' he said. Minority governments in Canada normally last around 18 months.

The Liberals are scheduled to elect a new leader this December and have little enthusiasm for an election until the new leader takes over.

Harper also promised to reform the unelected Senate, which is dominated by Liberal appointees who have the power to block Conservative legislation after it is approved by the House of Commons.

The Conservatives have long promised to turn the Senate into an elected chamber, but Harper did not give details of what he would be proposing, telling reporters to ''stay tuned'' until next week.

REUTERS DH RN0438