Voters can expect to head to the polls for a federal election on Sept. 20.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning to visit Rideau Hall on Sunday to ask that Parliament be dissolved, said sources with knowledge of his plans who spoke to CBC News on the condition they not be named.
Those sources said the prime minister is expected to announce a 36-day campaign — the minimum campaign length permitted by law — meaning voting day would be Monday, Sept. 20.
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News of the call has been reported already by Reuters and La Presse
COVID-19 concerns
Anticipating an election call, opposition leaders are already criticizing Trudeau for launching an election while COVID-19 continues to circulate.
Earlier today, while unveiling his own campaign promises, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said an early election call would be “selfish.”
“While Justin Trudeau wants to act like it’s over … it’s not over and people are still worried,” he said from St. John’s this morning.
“If Justin Trudeau was listening to people and their concerns and their worries, he would not be holding a selfish summer election.”
Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole also has said that the Liberals should not rush the country into a federal election during a fourth wave of the pandemic.
“My biggest concern right now is the potential fourth wave of COVID-19,” O’Toole said earlier this week. “We shouldn’t be rushing to an election. Mr. Trudeau always seems to put his own self-interest ahead of the interest of Canadians.”
The pandemic likely will have an impact on campaign plans for both leaders and local candidates, which are usually built around large rallies and door-knocking.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, has said she’s confident voting can be done safely due to a combination of health protocols and Canada’s high rate of vaccination.
Liberals leading in polls – but nothing certain
Trudeau can expect to be asked more than once during the campaign why he’s pulling the plug now. The polls make it pretty clear why he’s taking the country to the polls early.
According to CBC’s Poll Tracker, polls have consistently showed the Liberals leading — possibly with enough support to turn their minority government into a majority.
As of Thursday, the Liberals hold 155 seats in the House of Commons, the Conservatives have 119, the Bloc has 32, the NDP holds 24 and the Greens have two seats. Five members sit as Independents and one seat is vacant.
Results could be delayed
The country’s chief electoral officer, Stephane Perrault, said the final outcome of a pandemic election could take a few days to report due to an anticipated increase in mail-in ballots.
Elections Canada said it expects as many as five million mail-in votes this time around, compared to fewer than 50,000 in the 2019 election.
Perrault said mail-in ballots will not be counted until the day after the election.
