Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is set to call for an election to seek voter approval for the government’s costly plans to combat COVID-19.
Gatekeepers News reports that four sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Trudeau is planning a snap election for September 20.
The sources who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation noted that Trudeau will announce the development on Sunday.
For months, Trudeau aides have said that the ruling Liberals would push for a vote before the end of 2021 which is two years ahead of schedule.
The PM has a minority government and relies on other parties to push through legislation. In recent months, he has complained about what he calls opposition obstruction.
The Liberals have racked up record levels of debt as they heavily spend to shield individuals and businesses from COVID-19. They plan to inject an extra 100 billion Canadian dollars ($80bn) – between 3 and 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) – into the economy over the next three years.
Growth is set to rebound in the third quarter, and Canada currently has one of the world’s best inoculation records.
In 2015, Trudeau came to power with a majority of the 338 seats in the House of Commons; in 2019, he was reduced to a minority after old photos emerged of him wearing blackface.
One of the sources said, “Circumstances have changed massively since 2019. We need to know whether Canadians support our plans for economic recovery.”
Trudeau’s main rivals, official opposition Conservatives say his spending is excessive and will leave future generations hobbled by debt.
Liberals acknowledge a call for an election now would be a gamble, given that recent opinion polls suggest the party is not yet guaranteed a majority and the risk of a fourth wave of COVID-19.
A survey by Abacus on Thursday put the Liberals at 37 percent and the Conservatives at 28 percent.
According to the online poll of 3,000 people, conducted between August 6 and 11, Trudeau could well regain control of the House of Commons as the Liberals currently hold 155 of the 338 seats.
To formally launch the campaign the Prime Minister will need to visit the personal representative of the head of state Queen Elizabeth, Governor General Mary Simon, to ask that Parliament be dissolved.
The sources said the visit is currently planned for Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Constitutional experts say Simon will agree to the request.
The Liberal Party has not responded to a request for comment.
