A Charlottetown councillor is asking the province to hold off on calling a provincial election until P.E.I.’s municipal elections take place this fall.
P.E.I.’s municipal elections are slated for Nov. 5, although there is also speculation that a provincial election could be called this fall.
During Monday’s Charlottetown council meeting, Coun. Melissa Hilton asked Coun. Kevin Ramsay, who chairs the intergovernmental affairs committee, if the committee could meet with the Federation of P.E.I. Municipalities and see if the province would consider waiting for a general election.
“It really wouldn’t give municipal candidates an opportunity to get out to campaign until possibly the beginning of October if they have an election at the end of September,” said Hilton.
Ramsay said he would bring the request back to his committee.
The next provincial and federal elections are both scheduled for October 2019, although can be called before then.
The issue was also previously raised by Cornwall Coun. Peter Meggs, who voiced concerns that having both provincial and municipal elections around the same time could affect turnout through voter fatigue.
Charlottetown council also voted unanimously during Monday’s meeting to appoint Elections P.E.I to oversee and run the municipal election.
