Several sources say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning a snap election for September 20 as he seeks voter approval for the government’s costly plans to combat COVID-19,
Trudeau is apparently set to visit Rideau Hall and make the announcement on Sunday. 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. It would set the wheels in motion for a 36-day campaign.
Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh are already criticizing Trudeau for doing this as a fourth wave of COVID-19 hits the country.
O’Toole has said the Liberals should not be rushing the country into a federal election during a fourth wave while Singh said if Trudeau were listening to Canadians and their concerns, he would not be holding what he calls a “selfish summer election.”
Canadians last went to the polls in October 2019. After forming a majority government and taking power away from the Conservatives in 2015, the Liberals won a minority government with 155 seats compared to the Conservatives with 119, the Bloc Quebecois had 32 and the NDP 24.
In Saskatchewan, all 14 seats available were won by the Conservatives
