Saskatchewan’s NDP introduced a bill today (Thurs) that would require a by-election to be called within six months of a seat becoming vacant, when the period between general elections is more than 48 months.
NDP Ethics and Democracy Critic, David Forbes says the MLAs for Regina Walsh Acres, Warren Steinley, and Corey Tochor in Saskatoon Eastview, have been nominated as candidates in the next federal race, which means they are focusing on that rather than on Saskatchewan.
As it stands now, they don’t have to resign their seats until the writ drops next August and the SaskParty doesn’t have to have an election in those constituencies for another 14 months, leaving constituents in those ridings without a voice in the Legislature.
The amendment would mean the government would have to call by-elections in August when Regina’s Warren Steinley and Corey Tochor step down to run federally.