Premier Stephen McNeil eyes fixed election dates

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil says a move to set a fixed election date could come as early as next spring.

Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie introduced legislation Monday calling for an election to be set for the second Tuesday in October 2017.

Baillie said the change could be made during the fall session of the legislature, but McNeil said he envisions the date being part of a package of reforms to the legislature.

The premier also said there should be discussion around whether the election should be held in the fall or the spring, and about the rules governing political advertising leading up to the election campaign.

Nova Scotia is currently the only province without a fixed election date.