Let the campaign for your vote begin on September 20.
Newly installed Governor General Mary Simon granted Justin Trudeau’s request Sunday to dissolve Parliament and trigger the 44th federal election.
Opposition leaders are questioning the timing of an election with Canada in the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole launches his party’s election campaign, August 15, 2021. (CPAC)
“Mr. Trudeau is launching an election in the fourth wave of a pandemic, not securing the health and economic well-being of Canadians after he let in the Delta variant into this country,” remarked Conservative leader Erin O’Toole. “This is a time for us to work together for the well-being of all Canadians.”
O’Toole also unveiled some details on Canada’s Recovery Plan, which includes a promise to balance the budget by 2031.
“We will get the budget back to balance over the course of the next decade,” O’Toole pledged. “Because our first pillar of the plan is to get people back to work in all sectors of the economy and in all regions of Canada. We’re the only party that supports getting people back to work.”
Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh speaks to reporters in Montreal, August 15th, 2021. (CPAC)
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh stressed that the pandemic has been more difficult on some than others, adding, “We’ve been in the same storm for sure, but some people have ridden out this storm in luxury yachts while others have been in leaky lifeboats. Instead of calling an election, Justin Trudeau should be focused on these crises. On getting people the help they need and walking the path towards recovery instead of walking away from these commitments.”
Singh went onto say, “Justin Trudeau wants to grab power, wants a majority but why does he want it? It’s certainly not that he wants to help people, but that he wants to help people less, and you’ll ultimately pay the price.”
Green Party Leader Annamie Paul, who will also be campaigning for a seat in the House of Commons in the Toronto-Centre riding, had a message to those who might think things are back to post-pandemic normal.
Federal Green Party Leader Annamie Paul speaks to media in Toronto, August 15th, 2021. (CPAC)
“We are officially into the fourth wave of this pandemic,” Paul says. “And for anyone who wants to tell me or those behind me that we are out of it or that things are different, they are wrong.”
Paul added, “Having an election during forest fire evacuations, heat domes, fourth waves, losing the legacy of our troops in Afghanistan… well I guess that’s just the price that (the Liberals) feel we’re going to have to pay.
Election Day is Monday, September 20.
