Canada's Trudeau expected to call snap election as a test of his pandemic policy

Record ID: 1632110

  • Title: Canada's Trudeau expected to call snap election as a test of his pandemic policy
  • Date: 14th August 2021
  • Summary: PUURS, BELGIUM (FILE - JUNE 15, 2021) (AGENCY POOL - Broadcasters: NONE Digital: NONE) EXTERIOR OF PFIZER PLANT BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER ALEXANDER DE CROO AND TRUDEAU LISTENING TO A PFIZER PLANT MANAGER EXPLAIN THE COVID-19 VACCINE PRODUCTION PROCESS FREEZERS CONTAINING COVID-19 VACCINE DOSES TRUDEAU AND DE CROO OBSERVING WORKERS TAKING THE VACCINES OUT OF A FREEZER AND PUTTING THEM INSIDE A TRANSPORT FREEZER BOX PFIZER WORKING LIFTING BOXES OF VACCINES AND INSTALLING THEM INSIDE A SHIPMENT BOX WORKER POURING DRY ICE INTO TRANSPORT BOX TRUDEAU OBSERVING A WORKER POURING DRY ICE VACCINE SHIPMENT BEING SEALED ON A CONVEYER BELT DE CROO AND TRUDEAU WALKING THROUGH PLANT TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (FILE - APRIL 21, 2021) (REUTERS - Broadcasters: NONE Digital: NONE) WIDE SHOT OF VACCINE SITE IN HOCKEY RINK MAN MOVING CART TO AREA WHERE HE PREPARES TO VACCINATE WOMAN VARIOUS OF WOMAN BEING GIVEN COVID-19 VACCINE IN HOCKEY RINK PERSON WEARING MASK AND FACE SHIELD HOLDING SIGN READING 'I GOT MY VACCINE'
  • Embargoed: 28th August 2021 21:55
  • Keywords: 2021 election COVID-19 Canada budget Justin Trudeau snap elections
  • Location: NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, OTTAWA AND TORONTO, ONTARIO; CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC; GRAYSON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA; PUURS, BELGIUM
  • City: NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, OTTAWA AND TORONTO, ONTARIO; CHARLEVOIX, QUEBEC; GRAYSON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA; PUURS, BELGIUM
  • Country: Canada
  • Topics: Canada
  • Reuters ID: LVA004EQ94YFB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected on Sunday (August 15) to call for a snap election in September 20 in what would be essentially a referendum on his government's strategy to combat COVID-19.
    Trudeau will make a courtesy call upon Canadian Governor General Mary Simon before delivers remarks in Ottawa on Sunday morning. Later, he is expected to board a bus and set off on the first event of his re-election campaign.
    Trudeau aides have said for months that the ruling Liberals would push for a vote before the end of 2021, two years ahead of schedule.
    Trudeau presides over a minority government and relies on the support of other parties to pass legislation. In recent months, he has complained about what he calls opposition obstruction.
    The Liberals racked up record debt levels as they spent to shield individuals and businesses from COVID-19. They plan to inject another $100 billion ($80 billion) Canadian dollars - between 3 percent and 4 percent of GDP - into the economy over the next three years.
    Procurement Minister Anita Anand said that at end-July, Canada had received more than 66 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, enough to fully inoculate every eligible person.
    Liberals acknowledge an election now would be a gamble, given recent opinion polls suggest the party is not yet guaranteed a majority and the risk posed by the fourth wave of COVID-19.
    The official opposition Conservatives, Trudeau's main rivals, say his spending is excessive and will leave future generations hobbled by debt.
    (Production: Arlene Eiras)
  • Copyright Holder: POOL (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register