Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday announced an early poll for September 20, less than two years after the last federal election, saying that with the pandemic the country was at a "historic" moment.

“The Governor General accepted my request to dissolve Parliament.

Canadians will therefore go to the polls on September 20, ”he said from the federal capital, Ottawa.

A "historic moment"

According to him, the country is going through a "historic moment" and it is therefore "extremely important that Canadians can choose how we will come out of this pandemic and how we will rebuild better."

"We are now going to make choices not just for the months but for the decades to come."

"I ask you to support a progressive and ambitious government" which advocates "a strong health system, affordable housing and a protected environment," he said, launching some of the major themes of his campaign.

At the head of a minority government since October 2019, which makes him dependent on opposition parties to pass his reforms, Justin Trudeau intends, during this election, to surf favorable polls, his management of the coronavirus pandemic and the success of the vaccination campaign.

Elections against the backdrop of the fourth epidemic wave

But the other parties, all opposed to the holding of a poll this summer, immediately denounced this political calculation in the midst of a pandemic.

Like other countries, Canada has recently announced that it is facing a fourth epidemic wave, due to the development of the Delta variant.

However, the country has one of the best vaccine coverage in the world - 71% of 38 million Canadians have received a first dose and 62% are fully immunized.

"It was the only window of fire for Justin Trudeau because with the return to school and university in two weeks, the cases of Covid will inevitably go up," explains Félix Mathieu, professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg.

"And it has already held 18 months, which is the average lifespan for a minority government."

But it is a "risky bet" believes Daniel Béland, professor of political science at McGill University in view of current polls which do not guarantee him a majority.

To be at the head of a majority government, his party, which has 155 elected members, will have to obtain at least 170 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons.

Uncertain participation

"The election could be played on a few seats", adds Daniel Béland and "as this election is clearly Trudeau's decision it could cost him dearly in terms of leadership if he fails."

Facing him, Erin O'Toole, the leader of the Conservatives, the only other party capable of forming a government - 119 deputies at present - suffers from a lack of notoriety among the population but will be able to count on the rural provinces as a reservoir of votes.

Sunday, for the official launch of his campaign, he focused his first intervention on the promise of a "strong economy" unlike the liberal policy of "more debt, more spending".

And he strongly denounced Justin Trudeau's decision to call an election.

"We must not jeopardize all our efforts for games or political gains," said Erin O'Toole during her press conference.

A "selfish decision"

Jagmeet Singh, who heads the New Democratic Party (NDP), is Justin Trudeau's other rival and could garner votes for Liberals among youth and city dwellers.

Denouncing a “selfish decision” by Justin Trudeau, he said he was ready on Sunday to “fight for workers, to force the ultra-rich and big companies to pay their fair share, and to build a recovery that benefits to everybody ".

The electoral campaign should largely revolve around the management of the pandemic and the broad emergency aid programs deployed by the government as well as the post-pandemic recovery plan of 101.4 billion dollars (69 billion dollars). euros) over three years.

But environmental issues and that of reconciliation with indigenous peoples will also be crucial for this election, which promises to be unprecedented.

Health measures still underway in several states will limit electoral rallies and the great uncertainty will be participation.

And if postal voting is more developed, as is expected due to the pandemic, the outcome of the ballot may not be known on election night itself.

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