It depends on the subjects. For some subjects it seems to me that there should not be a referendum at the same time as an election. Others, which I might describe as lighter, could be the subject of a referendum question on the occasion of an election. It depends on the subjects, but there is also the problem of financing. In Quebec, there are strict rules governing financing, both in an election and in a referendum. If it was decided to hold an election at the same time as a referendum, which the act does not ordinarily allow, then the legislation would first have to be amended to allow it. It would be necessary to harmonize the financing rules to avoid people who support a candidate in an election also supporting one or the other option in the referendum. It would be a bit complicated to untangle, but I think it could be done. However, it is not something I would recommend, given that ordinarily, I imagine, you would want to give a referendum question the full attention it deserves, if the public were to be consulted on a particular question. I understand that this would produce economies of scale, but in my opinion, if the question is worth putting to the public, I would prefer that there be a referendum separate from an election.
On December 1st, 2009. See this statement in context.