The New Democrats wouldn’t dare. Or would they?

The disastrous early election call in 2015 put a stake in the heart of the Progressive Conservative regime.

So you’d think that the New Democrats would not hint at, tinker with, or even whisper about calling an election outside the mandated date for the next one, between March 1 and May 31, 2019.

But that’s exactly what happened in the legislature Monday.

Asked if the government would stick to the law, Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman waffled.

Wildrose MLA Derek Fildebrandt started it when he said:

“Even though most Albertans would love a chance to vote right now, the law is the law. Will the Premier commit right now, unequivocally, that she will respect our fixed election date legislation and not call an early election before 2019?”

Hoffman took the question for Premier Rachel Notley, who was absent.