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

Record ID: 1632111

  • Title: Canada's Trudeau expected to call snap election as a test of his pandemic policy
  • Date: 14th August 2021
  • Summary: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA (FILE - APRIL 21, 2021) (REUTERS - Broadcasters: NONE Digital: NONE) BACK SHOT OF PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE AWAITING COVID-19 VACCINE VARIOUS SIDE SHOTS OF PEOPLE IN LINE
  • 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: LVA002EQ94YFB
  • 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: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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