Labour Party leader Phil Goff is to introduce a Member's bill to re-instate an elected Canterbury Regional Council.
Government-appointed commissioners took over from the council in May after a report highlighted problems with freshwater management.
The regional council election in October was deferred and is unlikely to be held until 2013.
Mr Goff says a draft bill to re-instate the council will be taken to Labour's caucus next week.
He says the bill will require the Commissioners to call elections within three months of it becoming law.
