Manitoba plans to ban floor crossing by MLAs

Manitoba's NDP government has tabled legislation that would ban members of the legislature from crossing the floor.

Premier Gary Doer says Manitobans have expressed concerns about recent high-profile defections in the federal arena, such as David Emerson's decision to leave the Liberals for a Conservative cabinet post just days after last January's election.

Under the proposed Manitoba elections reform act, a politician who wanted to change parties would have to sit as an independent or resign their seat and run for their new party in a byelection.

Doer says a ballot is a sacred trust between the voter, the candidate and the party that receives their support.