Prime Minister Stephen Harper has promised to fix the date of future federal elections once every four years, a move he says will take the politics out of calling elections.
Harper said the government will introduce a bill setting fixed dates, which in a statement he said brings "an end to governing parties manipulating the timing of elections for partisan advantage."
Harper also told the Victoria Chamber of Commerce he will push ahead with Senate reform.
"A 21st century legislature cannot remain dominated by appointees who may sit for decades, without a democratic mandate and with the ability to thwart the elected government. "
The government will propose that the next election take place in the fall of 2009. That would effectively keep the Conservatives in power for 3 1/2 years, a proposal that would solidify his minority government and is likely to spark a heated debate in Parliament.
"We will do more than just talk about the need for democratic reform, said Harper. "Steps are needed that are practical and that can be achieved without full scale constitutional negotiations."
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