Quebec government tables bill for fixed election dates

Quebec Minister responsible for democratic institutions Bernard Drainville responds to questions at a news conference after he tabled a legislation that calls for elections at a fixed date at the legislature in Quebec City on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

QUEBEC -- The Parti Quebecois government has tabled a bill that would set the province's election date as the last Monday in September every four years.

Bill 3 was tabled today in the legislature by Bernard Drainville, the minister for democratic institutions, and fulfills a campaign promise by the PQ in the last election.

The PQ wants to limit the discretionary power of a premier to hold general elections when it would be advantageous for a political party.

If the bill is passed, Quebec would join seven other provinces and the federal government in having fixed election dates.

The provincial Liberals oppose the bill.