2021 federal election

[jeffster]

That law really is pointless (and toothless). It has a massive loophole in that the GG can dissolve the parliament at any time -- and of course the prime minister is able to ask the GG to do that.

Harper's government passed the law in 2006 ... and in 2008 he asked the GG to dissolve the parliament and call an early election.

I don't know whether the loophole was intentional or due to massive incompetence, but I suspect the former.

From what I remember from back then there was a big hew and cry about fixed election dates being "too American", which was why the option to dissolve and call a new election was left in.

I don't believe they can take out the option to dissolve whenever, even if everyone agreed that that option should go. We're a Parliamentary Democracy, and irregardless if we have FPTP or not, we have no guarantee of 4 year terms. Under our system, the max term is 5 years (examples, PC's in Canada from 1988 to 1993) but not many like anything more than 4 years.

It's not even a loophole in the law. It's just the way that it is.

When introducing the legislation, Harper stated that "fixed election dates prevent governments from calling snap elections for short-term political advantage. They level the playing field for all parties and the rules are clear for everybody."

However, despite the amendments to the legislation, the prime minister is still free to request an election at any time. As the Bill C-16 amendments to the Canada Elections Act clearly state "Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament at the Governor General's discretion"

Works the same for all provinces. The whole 4-year thing started in British Columbia back in 2001. It may have had something to do with the NDP clinging onto power, less than two weeks from 5 full years (which I believe is the max in BC as well), but I might be wrong. I am unsure why Ontario decided with 4 year terms.

That said, I have zero issues with 4 years, it makes things consistent and predictable. Would be even better if we could have all cities, regions, provinces and the country do it at the same time. But, the set-up for provinces and the country don't allow for that type of set-up.