Even as threats of assault & civil war fly, Musk praises anti-vaccine Canadian truckers rolling toward Ottawa

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to take action against the human traffickers after four Indians, including an infant, were found to be dead while trying to illegally cross the US-Canada border in a freezing cold temperature.

He said that Canada is working very closely with the United States to stop smuggling and help people “taking unacceptable risks”.

“It was an absolutely mind-blowing story. It’s so tragic to see a family die like that, victims of human traffickers...and of people who took advantage of their desire to build a better life,” Trudeau said.

“This is why we are doing all we can to discourage people from crossing the border in an irregular or illicit manner. We know there are great risks in doing so,” he added.

The bodies of four people — two adults, a teen and an infant — were found on the Canadian side of the US/Canada border near Emerson on Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/4-indians-including-infant-die-in-freezing-cold-at-us-canada-border-minister-seeks-probe-446536">4 Indians, including infant, die in freezing cold at US-Canada border, minister seeks probe</a>

A Florida-based man identified as Steve Shand, 47, was arrested the following day in connection with human smuggling.

“It would almost be like a lunar-type landscape and you can become lost or disoriented very quickly in those kinds of conditions, especially as you’re beginning to freeze and no doubt panic,” Trudeau told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

“There’s no lights up there. You would have probably been in close to zero visibility.”

Reacting to the human tragedy, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed shock over the incident and asked India’s envoys to the US and Canada to respond to the situation.

“Shocked by the report that 4 Indian nationals, including an infant have lost their lives at the Canada-US border. Have asked our Ambassadors in the US and Canada to urgently respond to the situation,” he said in a tweet.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to take action against the human traffickers after four Indians, including an infant, were found to be dead while trying to illegally cross the US-Canada border in a freezing cold temperature.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to take action against the human traffickers after four Indians, including an infant, were found to be dead while trying to illegally cross the US-Canada border in a freezing cold temperature. He said that Canada is working very closely with the United States to stop smuggling and help people “taking unacceptable risks”. “It was an absolutely mind-blowing story. It’s so tragic to see a family die like that, victims of human traffickers...and of people who took advantage of their desire to build a better life,” Trudeau said. “This is why we are doing all we can to discourage people from crossing the border in an irregular or illicit manner. We know there are great risks in doing so,” he added. The bodies of four people — two adults, a teen and an infant — were found on the Canadian side of the US/Canada border near Emerson on Wednesday. Also read | 4 Indians, including infant, die in freezing cold at US-Canada border, minister seeks probe A Florida-based man identified as Steve Shand, 47, was arrested the following day in connection with human smuggling. “It would almost be like a lunar-type landscape and you can become lost or disoriented very quickly in those kinds of conditions, especially as you’re beginning to freeze and no doubt panic,” Trudeau told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. “There’s no lights up there. You would have probably been in close to zero visibility.” Reacting to the human tragedy, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed shock over the incident and asked India’s envoys to the US and Canada to respond to the situation. “Shocked by the report that 4 Indian nationals, including an infant have lost their lives at the Canada-US border. Have asked our Ambassadors in the US and Canada to urgently respond to the situation,” he said in a tweet. (With inputs from agencies)

Canadian PM vows action after 4 Indians die in freezing cold while crossing US-Canada border

In a fresh attack against China, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has now said that China is playing western states against one another and that democracies should present a united front to counter its growing aggression.

China's playing western states against one another, says Canadian PM Justin Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that China is ''playing'' Western countries against one another.

During an interview with Global television, he said, "We've been competing and China has been, from time to time, very cleverly playing us off each other in an open market, competitive way."

"We need to do a better job of working together and standing strong so China can't play the angles and divide us one against the other."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-urges-unified-front-against-china-detentions-says-all-nations-vulnerable-356807">Also read |&nbsp;Canada's Trudeau urges unified front against China detentions, says all nations vulnerable</a>

Trudeau warned China against the inhumane treatment and its "coercive diplomacy" in Hong Kong as well as the detention of Uighur Muslims.

Earlier this month, Canada said it will join the United States and other countries in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics in February.

"As many (of our) partners around the world, we are extremely concerned by the repeated human rights violations by the Chinese government," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference.&nbsp;

"That is why we are announcing today that we will not be sending any diplomatic representation to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games this winter."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unacceptable-and-unjust-justin-trudeau-slams-chinas-jail-sentence-for-canadian-michael-spavor-404592">Also read |&nbsp;'Unacceptable and unjust': Justin Trudeau slams China's jail sentence for Canadian Michael Spavor</a>

Canada saw its relations with China plunge into a deep freeze over Beijing's detention of two Canadian nationals in response to Canada's arrest on a US warrant of Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei's founder.

Since Meng's arrest, China has sentenced four Canadians to death over drug charges. They are Robert Schellenberg, Fan Wei, Ye Jianhui and Xu Weihong.

China has rejected the suggestion that the cases of the Canadians in China are linked to Meng's case in Canada though Beijing has warned of unspecified consequences unless Meng was released.

Meng was charged with misleading HSBC Holdings PLC about Huawei's business dealings in Iran, potentially causing the bank to violate American economic sanctions against Tehran.

Meng, who has said she is innocent, has been fighting her extradition from under house arrest in Vancouver.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that China is ''playing'' Western countries against one another. During an interview with Global television, he said, "We've been competing and China has been, from time to time, very cleverly playing us off each other in an open market, competitive way.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that China is ''playing'' Western countries against one another. During an interview with Global television, he said, "We've been competing and China has been, from time to time, very cleverly playing us off each other in an open market, competitive way." "We need to do a better job of working together and standing strong so China can't play the angles and divide us one against the other." Also read | Canada's Trudeau urges unified front against China detentions, says all nations vulnerable Trudeau warned China against the inhumane treatment and its "coercive diplomacy" in Hong Kong as well as the detention of Uighur Muslims. Earlier this month, Canada said it will join the United States and other countries in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics in February. "As many (of our) partners around the world, we are extremely concerned by the repeated human rights violations by the Chinese government," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference. "That is why we are announcing today that we will not be sending any diplomatic representation to the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games this winter." Also read | 'Unacceptable and unjust': Justin Trudeau slams China's jail sentence for Canadian Michael Spavor Canada saw its relations with China plunge into a deep freeze over Beijing's detention of two Canadian nationals in response to Canada's arrest on a US warrant of Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei's founder. Since Meng's arrest, China has sentenced four Canadians to death over drug charges. They are Robert Schellenberg, Fan Wei, Ye Jianhui and Xu Weihong. China has rejected the suggestion that the cases of the Canadians in China are linked to Meng's case in Canada though Beijing has warned of unspecified consequences unless Meng was released. Meng was charged with misleading HSBC Holdings PLC about Huawei's business dealings in Iran, potentially causing the bank to violate American economic sanctions against Tehran. Meng, who has said she is innocent, has been fighting her extradition from under house arrest in Vancouver. (With inputs from agencies)

China is 'playing' Western countries against one another, says Trudeau

Heavy rainfall along with ''catastrophic'' flooding has triggered a state of emergency in Canada.

According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, ''the historical and terrible flooding has disrupted the lives of people across British Columbia.''

"I can confirm there are hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members currently headed to British Columbia to help with everything from supplies to evacuation to whatever is needed," he said.

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While the downpours forced thousands of people to flee their homes at least three people are missing.

Authorities have so far confirmed one death after torrential rains and mudslides destroyed roads along with trapping motorists and leaving several mountain towns isolated.&nbsp;

They are extremely worried as a phenomenon known as an atmospheric river dumped a month's worth of rain in two days.&nbsp;

It carried a narrow strip of moisture from tropical regions toward the poles. The disaster could be one of the most expensive in Canadian history.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/canada-floods-kill-one-person-leave-two-missing-rail-access-cut-to-vancouver-port-429806">Canada floods kill one person, leave two missing; rail access cut to Vancouver port</a>

''We expect to confirm even more fatalities in the coming days,'' said British Columbia Premier John Horgan. He described the calamity as a once-in-500-year event.

"These events are increasing in regularity because of the effects of human-caused climate change," he added.

In June, a massive wildfire had engulfed the same region. Nearly 500 people had died as a result of British Columbia's record-high summer temperatures.

(With inputs from agencies)

Heavy rainfall along with ''catastrophic'' flooding has triggered a state of emergency in Canada. According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, ''the historical and terrible flooding has disrupted the lives of people across British Columbia.

Heavy rainfall along with ''catastrophic'' flooding has triggered a state of emergency in Canada. According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, ''the historical and terrible flooding has disrupted the lives of people across British Columbia.'' "I can confirm there are hundreds of Canadian Armed Forces members currently headed to British Columbia to help with everything from supplies to evacuation to whatever is needed," he said. While the downpours forced thousands of people to flee their homes at least three people are missing. Authorities have so far confirmed one death after torrential rains and mudslides destroyed roads along with trapping motorists and leaving several mountain towns isolated. They are extremely worried as a phenomenon known as an atmospheric river dumped a month's worth of rain in two days. It carried a narrow strip of moisture from tropical regions toward the poles. The disaster could be one of the most expensive in Canadian history. Also see | Canada floods kill one person, leave two missing; rail access cut to Vancouver port ''We expect to confirm even more fatalities in the coming days,'' said British Columbia Premier John Horgan. He described the calamity as a once-in-500-year event. "These events are increasing in regularity because of the effects of human-caused climate change," he added. In June, a massive wildfire had engulfed the same region. Nearly 500 people had died as a result of British Columbia's record-high summer temperatures. (With inputs from agencies)

'Catastrophic' flooding triggers state of emergency in Canada

World leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others have arrived in Rome to attend G20 summit.

G20 summit: Justin Trudeau, other leaders arrive in Rome

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand has been appointed as the country’s new defence minister following a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Anand, 54, will replace long-time defence minister Indian-origin Harjit Sajjan, whose handling of the military sexual misconduct crisis had been under criticism.

The cabinet reshuffle came the Trudeau-led Liberal Party returned to power in the snap elections and amid calls for major military reforms.

Sajjan has been appointed as Minister of International Development Agency, according to a report in the National Post newspaper.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-justin-trudeau-projected-to-win-elections-delivers-victory-speech-414565">Canada: Justin Trudeau, projected to win elections, delivers victory speech</a>

The new Cabinet maintains gender balance and has 38 members, up one person from before the election, it said.

Anand has a background as a corporate lawyer and has worked extensively on corporate governance, which refers specifically to the laws and rules in place to manage the operations of businesses, the report said.

She has been touted as a strong contender for weeks among defence industry experts who said that moving her into the role would send a powerful signal to survivors and victims of military sexual misconduct that the government is serious about implementing major reforms.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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It is my sincere honour to be sworn in today as Minister of National Defence. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinTrudeau</a> for entrusting me with this portfolio. <a href="https://t.co/4QpXA5hcL6">pic.twitter.com/4QpXA5hcL6</a>
— Anita Anand (@AnitaOakville) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnitaOakville/status/1453136627241525248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Anand was declared the winner in Oakville with a nearly 46 per cent vote share, a significant development for Canada’s vaccine minister.

She was first elected as a rookie Member of Parliament in 2019 representing Oakville in Ontario province and served as procurement minister throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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She quickly became in charge of the country’s efforts to secure COVID-19 vaccines and was often on the campaign trail with Trudeau.

In her role as former Minister of Public Services and Procurement, she played a very public role in the Liberal response to the health crisis.

Anita Anand was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Her parents were both physicians - her mother Late Saroj D Ram was an anesthesiologist.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-justin-trudeau-condemns-france-attacks-but-says-free-speech-has-limits-339157">Canada's Justin Trudeau condemns France attacks but says free speech has limits</a>

Her father SV (Andy) Anand was a general surgeon. Her father was from Tamil Nadu and her mother was from Punjab.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen's University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford.

She is a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994.

Anand has worked as a scholar, lawyer, and researcher. She has been a legal academic, including as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto.

In 2019, Royal Society of Canada awarded her the Yvan Allaire Medal for outstanding contributions in governance relating to private and public organisations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand has been appointed as the country’s new defence minister following a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Indian-origin Canadian politician Anita Anand has been appointed as the country’s new defence minister following a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Anand, 54, will replace long-time defence minister Indian-origin Harjit Sajjan, whose handling of the military sexual misconduct crisis had been under criticism. The cabinet reshuffle came the Trudeau-led Liberal Party returned to power in the snap elections and amid calls for major military reforms. Sajjan has been appointed as Minister of International Development Agency, according to a report in the National Post newspaper. Also read | Canada: Justin Trudeau, projected to win elections, delivers victory speech The new Cabinet maintains gender balance and has 38 members, up one person from before the election, it said. Anand has a background as a corporate lawyer and has worked extensively on corporate governance, which refers specifically to the laws and rules in place to manage the operations of businesses, the report said. She has been touted as a strong contender for weeks among defence industry experts who said that moving her into the role would send a powerful signal to survivors and victims of military sexual misconduct that the government is serious about implementing major reforms. It is my sincere honour to be sworn in today as Minister of National Defence. Thank you @JustinTrudeau for entrusting me with this portfolio. pic.twitter.com/4QpXA5hcL6 — Anita Anand (@AnitaOakville) October 26, 2021 × Anand was declared the winner in Oakville with a nearly 46 per cent vote share, a significant development for Canada’s vaccine minister. She was first elected as a rookie Member of Parliament in 2019 representing Oakville in Ontario province and served as procurement minister throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Also read | Stones thrown at Justin Trudeau at election campaign event She quickly became in charge of the country’s efforts to secure COVID-19 vaccines and was often on the campaign trail with Trudeau. In her role as former Minister of Public Services and Procurement, she played a very public role in the Liberal response to the health crisis. Anita Anand was born in Kentville, Nova Scotia. Her parents were both physicians - her mother Late Saroj D Ram was an anesthesiologist. Also read | Canada's Justin Trudeau condemns France attacks but says free speech has limits Her father SV (Andy) Anand was a general surgeon. Her father was from Tamil Nadu and her mother was from Punjab. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies from Queen's University, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Jurisprudence from the University of Oxford. She is a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto. She was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1994. Anand has worked as a scholar, lawyer, and researcher. She has been a legal academic, including as a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto. In 2019, Royal Society of Canada awarded her the Yvan Allaire Medal for outstanding contributions in governance relating to private and public organisations. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian-origin Anita Anand named Canada’s defence minister

May, Modi, Merkel, Macron: Past and present world leaders with impeccable fashion sense

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has revealed his newly shuffled cabinet. The 30-member team has an equal number of men and women, which is a rare show in governments across the globe.

Canada: Equal number of men & women in Junstin Trudeau's new cabinet

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a visit to Kamloops where the remains of 215 children were found in May. He also apologised for not coming earlier.

Canadian PM visits school graves in Kamloops

Canadian Federal Court on Wednesday upheld a ruling that ordered Canada government to compensate indigenous children for suffering discrimination.&nbsp;

In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that less funds had been allocated for child and family services of indigenous people than for non-indigenous people. The tribunal observed that this pushed more indigenous children into foster care.

The follow-up order of the tribunal was appealed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The order said that government should pay each affected child USD 31,500. This is the maximum allowed compensation under Canadian Human Rights Act. With some exceptions, parents and grandparents of the children were also eligible for compensation.

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The tribunal's ruling could cost the federal government billions of dollars.

Federal Court Justice Paul Favel rejected the government's appeal and encouraged the two parties to continue negotiating.

"The parties must decide whether they will continue to sit beside the trail or move forward in this spirit of reconciliation," Favel wrote, referring to an indigenous parable about a man who sits beside a trail for so long that it grows over and he loses his way.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-catholic-church-apologises-unequivocally-for-indigenous-people-abuse-in-schools-415743">Canada: Catholic Church apologises 'unequivocally' for indigenous people abuse in schools</a> 
 
Trudeau's government could appeal the court's decision. His government has argued in the past that although the human rights tribunal was correct in finding discrimination in the system, it overreached by ordering compensation.

The government is reviewing the decision and more information "will be forthcoming," Marc Miller, minister for indigenous services, said in an emailed statement.

"Canada remains committed to compensating First Nations children who were removed from their families and communities," he added.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society that brought the original complaint, said the ruling was "a complete rejection of all the government’s spurious arguments, and a complete win for kids."

(With inputs from agencies)

Canadian Federal Court on Wednesday upheld a ruling that ordered Canada government to compensate indigenous children for suffering discrimination. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that less funds had been allocated for child and family services of indigenous people than for non-indigenous people.

Canadian Federal Court on Wednesday upheld a ruling that ordered Canada government to compensate indigenous children for suffering discrimination. In 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruled that less funds had been allocated for child and family services of indigenous people than for non-indigenous people. The tribunal observed that this pushed more indigenous children into foster care. The follow-up order of the tribunal was appealed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government. The order said that government should pay each affected child USD 31,500. This is the maximum allowed compensation under Canadian Human Rights Act. With some exceptions, parents and grandparents of the children were also eligible for compensation. Also Read | 35 of 39 trapped at Canada mine finally make it to surface The tribunal's ruling could cost the federal government billions of dollars. Federal Court Justice Paul Favel rejected the government's appeal and encouraged the two parties to continue negotiating. "The parties must decide whether they will continue to sit beside the trail or move forward in this spirit of reconciliation," Favel wrote, referring to an indigenous parable about a man who sits beside a trail for so long that it grows over and he loses his way. Also Read | Canada: Catholic Church apologises 'unequivocally' for indigenous people abuse in schools Trudeau's government could appeal the court's decision. His government has argued in the past that although the human rights tribunal was correct in finding discrimination in the system, it overreached by ordering compensation. The government is reviewing the decision and more information "will be forthcoming," Marc Miller, minister for indigenous services, said in an emailed statement. "Canada remains committed to compensating First Nations children who were removed from their families and communities," he added. Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society that brought the original complaint, said the ruling was "a complete rejection of all the government’s spurious arguments, and a complete win for kids." (With inputs from agencies)

Compensation to indigenous children may cost Canada billions

Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has secured victory in the third election but has fallen short of a majority.

The Canadian leader's party secured 158 out of 338 electoral districts while the Conservatives secured 119 seats and will be the official opposition.

Trudeau will seek support from smaller factions such as the leftist New Democrats and the separatist Bloc Quebecois who have won 25 and 34 seats respectively.

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US President Joe Biden congratulated Trudeau for his victory in the Canadian snap election.&nbsp;

The White House said that Biden highlighted the ''strong and deep'' friendship between the two countries and discussed the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthen their resilience and competitiveness.''

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-indo-canadians-triumph-in-canadas-snap-elections-as-trudeau-fails-to-win-majority-414732">17 Indo-Canadians triumph in Canada's snap elections as Trudeau fails to win majority&nbsp;</a>

Former US President Barack Obama had endorsed Trudeau, days before Canadians went to polls, saying that he has been an ''effective leader and strong voice for democratic values.''

Indo-Canadians such as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also won the federal election. Canada is home to one of the largest diasporas in the world. Three per cent of the country's population is Indian.

This year's election was the most expensive election in the country's history as it cost Canadians C$600 million.

Seeking to benefit from the Canadian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Trudeau had called snap elections two years early.

Insiders in the&nbsp;Liberal Party believe that Trudeau can step down before the next election as no person in Canada has won four consecutive terms.

In that case, Innovation Minister Francois Philippe Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland can be his potential successors.

Trudeau had&nbsp;swept into power in 2015. He&nbsp;is the son of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who had also stayed in office for&nbsp;six years.

Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has secured victory in the third election but has fallen short of a majority. The Canadian leader's party secured 158 out of 338 electoral districts while the Conservatives secured 119 seats and will be the official opposition.

Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party has secured victory in the third election but has fallen short of a majority. The Canadian leader's party secured 158 out of 338 electoral districts while the Conservatives secured 119 seats and will be the official opposition. Trudeau will seek support from smaller factions such as the leftist New Democrats and the separatist Bloc Quebecois who have won 25 and 34 seats respectively. US President Joe Biden congratulated Trudeau for his victory in the Canadian snap election. The White House said that Biden highlighted the ''strong and deep'' friendship between the two countries and discussed the shared commitment of the two countries to strengthen their resilience and competitiveness.'' Also read: 17 Indo-Canadians triumph in Canada's snap elections as Trudeau fails to win majority Former US President Barack Obama had endorsed Trudeau, days before Canadians went to polls, saying that he has been an ''effective leader and strong voice for democratic values.'' Indo-Canadians such as Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh also won the federal election. Canada is home to one of the largest diasporas in the world. Three per cent of the country's population is Indian. This year's election was the most expensive election in the country's history as it cost Canadians C$600 million. Seeking to benefit from the Canadian government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Trudeau had called snap elections two years early. Insiders in the Liberal Party believe that Trudeau can step down before the next election as no person in Canada has won four consecutive terms. In that case, Innovation Minister Francois Philippe Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland can be his potential successors. Trudeau had swept into power in 2015. He is the son of former Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau who had also stayed in office for six years.

Canada election: Justin Trudeau wins third election but falls short of majority

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to call for snap elections is proving to be a mistake. A surge in Wuhan virus cases has led to public anger. As Canada votes, opinion polls show Trudeau is falling short of a majority. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas US Edition: Canada votes: Trudeau's fate hangs in balance

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party has won a minority government. Watch this report to know more.

News Alert: Justin Trudeau to remain Prime minister of Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed what he called 'clear mandate' in the snap polls for his government to go through the Covid pandemic. He has been projected to win&nbsp;by TV channels.&nbsp; However, with polling stations likely to still be reporting results into the morning, it was not yet clear if the Liberals had gained enough seats to form a majority in parliament that would allow Trudeau to pass his agenda without opposition support.

"You (Canadians) are sending us back to work with a clear mandate to get through this pandemic into brighter days ahead," he said, flanked by his wife Sophie Gregoire and their children on stage at a victory gala. "That's exactly what we are ready to do."

Although voting has ended, final results may not be known until Tuesday morning due to the close contest and large number of mail-in ballots.

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The snap elections were called by Trudeau last month to get a new mandate and better hold on power that would eliminate his reliance on opposition parties to pass his policies.

<img alt="Justin Trudeau" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f9137b7-e4f0-4734-bfee-05e27544699c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_9N84X8.jpg" />

(Canada PM Justin Trudeau casts his vote)

Voting across Canada's six time zones started early in the Atlantic island province of Newfoundland and was to wrap up in westernmost British Columbia at 7:00 pm local time (0200 GMT).

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Trudeau said he felt "serene" after casting a ballot in Montreal.

"We worked very hard during this campaign, and Canadians are making an important choice," he told AFP, flanked by his wife Sophie Gregoire and their children.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-elections-few-things-that-you-need-to-know-about-the-campaign-414449">Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign</a>

O'Toole, meanwhile, tweeted: "Proud to cast our ballots today, make sure you do the same! #SecureTheFuture." 
At 49, Trudeau has faced tougher political bouts and still come out unscathed.

But after six years in power, his administration is showing signs of fatigue, and it's been an uphill battle for him to convince Canadians to stick with his Liberals after falling short of high expectations set in his 2015 landslide win.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed what he called 'clear mandate' in the snap polls for his government to go through the Covid pandemic. He has been projected to win by TV channels.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed what he called 'clear mandate' in the snap polls for his government to go through the Covid pandemic. He has been projected to win by TV channels. However, with polling stations likely to still be reporting results into the morning, it was not yet clear if the Liberals had gained enough seats to form a majority in parliament that would allow Trudeau to pass his agenda without opposition support. "You (Canadians) are sending us back to work with a clear mandate to get through this pandemic into brighter days ahead," he said, flanked by his wife Sophie Gregoire and their children on stage at a victory gala. "That's exactly what we are ready to do." Although voting has ended, final results may not be known until Tuesday morning due to the close contest and large number of mail-in ballots. Also Read: Chechnya strongman and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov wins 99% of vote The snap elections were called by Trudeau last month to get a new mandate and better hold on power that would eliminate his reliance on opposition parties to pass his policies. (Canada PM Justin Trudeau casts his vote) Voting across Canada's six time zones started early in the Atlantic island province of Newfoundland and was to wrap up in westernmost British Columbia at 7:00 pm local time (0200 GMT). Also Read: Biden to tell UN he does not believe in a 'New Cold War': US official Trudeau said he felt "serene" after casting a ballot in Montreal. "We worked very hard during this campaign, and Canadians are making an important choice," he told AFP, flanked by his wife Sophie Gregoire and their children. Also Read: Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign O'Toole, meanwhile, tweeted: "Proud to cast our ballots today, make sure you do the same! #SecureTheFuture." At 49, Trudeau has faced tougher political bouts and still come out unscathed. But after six years in power, his administration is showing signs of fatigue, and it's been an uphill battle for him to convince Canadians to stick with his Liberals after falling short of high expectations set in his 2015 landslide win. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada: Justin Trudeau, projected to win elections, delivers victory speech

Voting kicked off Monday in Canadian elections that are headed for a photo finish, with liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seeking a third term but threatened by a strong challenge from rookie conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

Trudeau called the snap election hoping to parlay a smooth COVID-19 vaccine rollout -- among the best in the world -- into a new mandate to steer the nation's pandemic exit, without having to rely on opposition party support to pass his agenda.

But the contest, after a bumpy five weeks of campaigning, appears set for a repeat of the close 2019 general election that resulted in the one-time golden boy of Canadian politics clinging to power, yet losing his majority in parliament.

A sudden surge in COVID-19 cases led by the Delta variant late in the campaign, after the lifting of most public health measures this summer, has also thrown a wrench into the works. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-elections-few-things-that-you-need-to-know-about-the-campaign-414449">Also read | Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign</a>

Voting across Canada's six time zones started in the Atlantic island province of Newfoundland at 8:30 am (1100 GMT) and was to wrap up in westernmost British Columbia at 7:00 pm (0200 GMT).

At 49, Trudeau has faced tougher bouts and come out unscathed.

But after six years in power, his administration is showing signs of fatigue, and it's been an uphill battle for him to convince Canadians to stick with his Liberals after falling short of high expectations set in his 2015 landslide win.

"The main ballot box question at the start of this campaign was whether the Liberals deserved to have a majority government," said Daniel Beland, a politics professor at McGill University in Montreal. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-justin-trudeau-sought-a-poll-he-risks-losing-with-only-a-week-to-go-413093">Also read |&nbsp;Canada's Justin Trudeau sought a poll he risks losing with only a week to go</a>

"But now the question is whether they deserve to stay in power."

Going into the final stretch, the two main political parties that ruled Canada since its 1867 confederation were neck and neck with about 31 percent of voting intentions each and four smaller factions nipping at their heels.

An estimated 27 million Canadians are eligible to cast a ballot to select 338 members of Parliament. To keep his job, Trudeau's Liberals must win a plurality of seats and take at least 170 for a majority.

Due to the pandemic, a significant number of mail-in ballots (1.2 million) are expected, which could mean the results may not be known Monday evening.

Pollster and former political strategist Tim Powers advised not counting Trudeau out.

"I still think Justin Trudeau will win a minority government," he told AFP.

"But is that a win for him?" he added, suggesting Trudeau may be turfed as leader if the Liberals fare poorly at the ballot box.

'Anti-vaxxer mobs,' China 'counterstrikes'

The 36-day campaign -- the shortest allowed under Canadian law -- saw the contenders spar over climate actions, indigenous reconciliation, affordable housing, the recent Afghanistan crisis, mandatory Covid-19 inoculations and vaccine passports.

Rivals criticized Trudeau for calling the election during a pandemic.

Meanwhile, the 48-year-old O'Toole was knocked for his backing of Alberta and two other Tory-led provinces' loosening of public health restrictions too soon, with Covid outbreaks now forcing their overwhelmed hospitals to fly patients across Canada for care.

At rallies, Trudeau was dogged by what he described as "anti-vaxxer mobs," including one that threw stones at him.

He also received endorsements from former US president Barack Obama and his former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

O'Toole, meanwhile, fumbled over gun control and was warned by Beijing, according to Chinese state media, that his proposed hard line on China -- Canada's second-largest trading partner, with whom relations have soured over its detention of two Canadian nationals -- would "invite counterstrikes."

Overall, commented Max Cameron, a professor at the University of British Columbia, "this hasn't been a polarizing election. There's actually a lot of clustering around the middle."

"This isn't Republicans versus Democrats south of the border," he said, referring to the United States.&nbsp;

"This has been very much a Canadian campaign in which there's a strong consensus around what are the issues and how they have to be tackled."

O'Toole, a relative unknown who became Tory leader only last year, tracked his party to the political center, forcing the Liberals to compete for votes on the left with the New Democrats and Greens, as well as the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

The Conservatives, however, also saw their support clawed in the final week by former foreign minister Maxime Bernier's far right People's Party.

When the final count is in, said University of Winnipeg professor Felix Mathieu, "it's unlikely anyone will have obtained a majority."

Voting kicked off Monday in Canadian elections that are headed for a photo finish, with liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seeking a third term but threatened by a strong challenge from rookie conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

Voting kicked off Monday in Canadian elections that are headed for a photo finish, with liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seeking a third term but threatened by a strong challenge from rookie conservative leader Erin O'Toole. Trudeau called the snap election hoping to parlay a smooth COVID-19 vaccine rollout -- among the best in the world -- into a new mandate to steer the nation's pandemic exit, without having to rely on opposition party support to pass his agenda. But the contest, after a bumpy five weeks of campaigning, appears set for a repeat of the close 2019 general election that resulted in the one-time golden boy of Canadian politics clinging to power, yet losing his majority in parliament. A sudden surge in COVID-19 cases led by the Delta variant late in the campaign, after the lifting of most public health measures this summer, has also thrown a wrench into the works. Also read | Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign Voting across Canada's six time zones started in the Atlantic island province of Newfoundland at 8:30 am (1100 GMT) and was to wrap up in westernmost British Columbia at 7:00 pm (0200 GMT). At 49, Trudeau has faced tougher bouts and come out unscathed. But after six years in power, his administration is showing signs of fatigue, and it's been an uphill battle for him to convince Canadians to stick with his Liberals after falling short of high expectations set in his 2015 landslide win. "The main ballot box question at the start of this campaign was whether the Liberals deserved to have a majority government," said Daniel Beland, a politics professor at McGill University in Montreal. Also read | Canada's Justin Trudeau sought a poll he risks losing with only a week to go "But now the question is whether they deserve to stay in power." Going into the final stretch, the two main political parties that ruled Canada since its 1867 confederation were neck and neck with about 31 percent of voting intentions each and four smaller factions nipping at their heels. An estimated 27 million Canadians are eligible to cast a ballot to select 338 members of Parliament. To keep his job, Trudeau's Liberals must win a plurality of seats and take at least 170 for a majority. Due to the pandemic, a significant number of mail-in ballots (1.2 million) are expected, which could mean the results may not be known Monday evening. Pollster and former political strategist Tim Powers advised not counting Trudeau out. "I still think Justin Trudeau will win a minority government," he told AFP. "But is that a win for him?" he added, suggesting Trudeau may be turfed as leader if the Liberals fare poorly at the ballot box. 'Anti-vaxxer mobs,' China 'counterstrikes' The 36-day campaign -- the shortest allowed under Canadian law -- saw the contenders spar over climate actions, indigenous reconciliation, affordable housing, the recent Afghanistan crisis, mandatory Covid-19 inoculations and vaccine passports. Rivals criticized Trudeau for calling the election during a pandemic. Meanwhile, the 48-year-old O'Toole was knocked for his backing of Alberta and two other Tory-led provinces' loosening of public health restrictions too soon, with Covid outbreaks now forcing their overwhelmed hospitals to fly patients across Canada for care. At rallies, Trudeau was dogged by what he described as "anti-vaxxer mobs," including one that threw stones at him. He also received endorsements from former US president Barack Obama and his former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. O'Toole, meanwhile, fumbled over gun control and was warned by Beijing, according to Chinese state media, that his proposed hard line on China -- Canada's second-largest trading partner, with whom relations have soured over its detention of two Canadian nationals -- would "invite counterstrikes." Overall, commented Max Cameron, a professor at the University of British Columbia, "this hasn't been a polarizing election. There's actually a lot of clustering around the middle." "This isn't Republicans versus Democrats south of the border," he said, referring to the United States. "This has been very much a Canadian campaign in which there's a strong consensus around what are the issues and how they have to be tackled." O'Toole, a relative unknown who became Tory leader only last year, tracked his party to the political center, forcing the Liberals to compete for votes on the left with the New Democrats and Greens, as well as the separatist Bloc Quebecois. The Conservatives, however, also saw their support clawed in the final week by former foreign minister Maxime Bernier's far right People's Party. When the final count is in, said University of Winnipeg professor Felix Mathieu, "it's unlikely anyone will have obtained a majority."

Justin Trudeau future on the line as Canadians vote in pandemic election

For the second time in two years, Canadians are voting in a federal election. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the campaign in mid-August, two years ahead of schedule as he seeks a third term in office. The campaign was a five-week sprint as all the party leaders made their pitches to voters. 
Here are a few&nbsp;things you need to know about the campaign.

 
Why an election at this stage?&nbsp; 
During the short campaign, Mr. Trudeau argued that only a majority Liberal government can beat the coronavirus and set a path to recovery. However, the other parties have supported his pandemic response. The Liberals’ standing rose in the polls, and Mr. Trudeau’s personal approval ratings soared. 
As per the political analysts, he called the election to take advantage of that popularity. However, this idea seems to have backfired. Since he called the election, Mr. Trudeau’s poll numbers, and his party’s, have fallen.

Tough competition between two frontrunners 
New Conservative leader Erin O'Toole is running in his first federal campaign at the helm of the center-right party. He begins the race as an unknown to many Canadians. However, his pitch has helped him gain traction. 
From early September the two parties have been locked in a statistical tie for first place, each at about 30 percent in national polls. This indicates that another minority government is likely.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-justin-trudeau-sought-a-poll-he-risks-losing-with-only-a-week-to-go-413093">Also read |&nbsp;Canada's Justin Trudeau sought a poll he risks losing with only a week to go</a>

COVID-19 affecting the elections 
Canada has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates. However, in some areas, cases have surged due to the delta variant, making the hospitals close to their capacity.&nbsp; 
While Mr. Trudeau supports vaccine mandates for travel and for federal workers, as well as vaccine passports, Mr. O'Toole opposes them.

Various other issues that have surfaced 
Issues like climate change, gun control, economic impact due to the pandemic, also play a major part.&nbsp; 
Canada has recovered nearly all the jobs lost by the pandemic. However, &nbsp;Mr. Trudeau’s pandemic spending on vaccines and economic support has led to massive debts. After criticising this, Mr. O’Toole unveiled similar spending plans.&nbsp; 
Also, he promised to balance the budget within 10 years, a time frame that most economists say is too distant to be credible. 
&nbsp;

For the second time in two years, Canadians are voting in a federal election. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the campaign in mid-August, two years ahead of schedule as he seeks a third term in office.

For the second time in two years, Canadians are voting in a federal election. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched the campaign in mid-August, two years ahead of schedule as he seeks a third term in office. The campaign was a five-week sprint as all the party leaders made their pitches to voters. Here are a few things you need to know about the campaign. Why an election at this stage? During the short campaign, Mr. Trudeau argued that only a majority Liberal government can beat the coronavirus and set a path to recovery. However, the other parties have supported his pandemic response. The Liberals’ standing rose in the polls, and Mr. Trudeau’s personal approval ratings soared. As per the political analysts, he called the election to take advantage of that popularity. However, this idea seems to have backfired. Since he called the election, Mr. Trudeau’s poll numbers, and his party’s, have fallen. Tough competition between two frontrunners New Conservative leader Erin O'Toole is running in his first federal campaign at the helm of the center-right party. He begins the race as an unknown to many Canadians. However, his pitch has helped him gain traction. From early September the two parties have been locked in a statistical tie for first place, each at about 30 percent in national polls. This indicates that another minority government is likely. Also read | Canada's Justin Trudeau sought a poll he risks losing with only a week to go COVID-19 affecting the elections Canada has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates. However, in some areas, cases have surged due to the delta variant, making the hospitals close to their capacity. While Mr. Trudeau supports vaccine mandates for travel and for federal workers, as well as vaccine passports, Mr. O'Toole opposes them. Various other issues that have surfaced Issues like climate change, gun control, economic impact due to the pandemic, also play a major part. Canada has recovered nearly all the jobs lost by the pandemic. However, Mr. Trudeau’s pandemic spending on vaccines and economic support has led to massive debts. After criticising this, Mr. O’Toole unveiled similar spending plans. Also, he promised to balance the budget within 10 years, a time frame that most economists say is too distant to be credible.

Canada elections: Few things that you need to know about the campaign

Outside a TV studio in a Vancouver, British Columbia, suburb where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada was recording an interview days before the country’s election, a man shouted insults, mostly obscene, about Trudeau and his family while blasting Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” from a stereo on a cart.

Heckling is something Trudeau has always faced, but this time the attacks have new bite. After six years in office, a prime minister who promised “sunny ways” and presented himself as a new face is now the political establishment, with a track record and missteps for opponents to criticize. Even if the Liberal Party clings to its hold on Parliament, as observers expect, this bruising election campaign has done him no favours.

Ben Chin, the prime minister’s senior adviser, said that no politician could have sustained Trudeau’s initial popularity.

“If you’re in power for six years or five years, you’re going to have more baggage,” Chin said. “You have to make tough decisions that not everybody’s going to agree with.”

For much of his time in office, opposition party leaders have accused Trudeau of putting his personal and political interests before the nation’s good — of which the snap election being held Monday is the most recent example. They also have had rich material to attack him on over controversies involving a contract for a charity close to his family, and a finding that he broke ethics laws by pressing a minister to help a large Quebec company avoid criminal sanctions.

And for every accomplishment Trudeau cites, his opponents can point to unfulfilled pledges.

Anti-vax protesters have thronged his events, some with signs promoting the far-right People’s Party of Canada, prompting his security detail to increase precautions.

One rally in Ontario where protesters significantly outnumbered the police was shut down over safety concerns, and at another in the same province, the prime minister was pelted with gravel as he boarded his campaign bus. A local official of the People’s Party later faced charges in that episode of assault with a weapon.

Trudeau has many achievements since 2015 to point to. His government has introduced carbon pricing and other climate measures, legalized cannabis, increased spending for Indigenous issues and made 1,500 models of military-style rifles illegal. A new plan will provide daycare for 10 Canadian dollars a day per child.

Although his popularity has diminished, Trudeau’s star power remains. When he dropped by the outdoor terrace of a cafe in Port Coquitlam, an eastern suburb of Vancouver, for elbow bumps, quick chats and selfies with voters, a crowd soon swelled.

“We love you, we love you,” Joy Silver, a 76-year-old retired schoolteacher from nearby Coquitlam, told Trudeau.

But as Election Day nears, many Canadians are still asking why Trudeau is holding a vote now, two years ahead of schedule, with COVID-19 infections on the rise from the delta variant, taxing hospitals and prompting renewed pandemic restrictions in some provinces or delaying their lifting in others.

Also criticized was that he called the vote the same weekend Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, when Canadian troops were struggling to evacuate Canadians as well as Afghans who had assisted their forces.

“They’ve been struggling with answering that question the whole campaign,” said Gerald Butts, a longtime friend of Trudeau’s and a former top political adviser. “And that’s part of why they’re having trouble getting the message across.”

Trudeau has said that he needs to replace his plurality in the House of Commons with a majority to deal with the remainder of the pandemic and the recovery that will follow — although he avoids explicitly saying “majority.” The Liberal Party’s political calculation was that it was best to strike while Canadians still held favourable views about how Trudeau handled pandemic issues, particularly income supports and buying vaccines.

“We’re the party with the experience, the team and the plan to continue delivering real results for Canadians, the party with a real commitment to ending this pandemic,” Trudeau said at a rally in Surrey, another Vancouver suburb, standing in front of campaign signs for candidates from the surrounding area. “Above all, my friends, if you want to end this pandemic for good, go out and vote Liberal.”

During much of the 36-day campaign, the Liberals have been stuck in a statistical tie with the Conservative Party of Canada, led by Erin O’Toole, each holding about 30% of the popular vote. The New Democrats, a left-of-center party led by Jagmeet Singh, lies well behind at about 20%.

Kimberly Speers, a political scientist at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, said that Trudeau’s personality and celebrity may be working against him.

“The messaging, from the NDP and the Conservatives especially, is that it’s a power grab and it’s all about him,” she said. “And that message has just really seemed to stick with voters.”

Some scandals during Trudeau’s tenure have helped the opposition, too. In 2019, Trudeau’s veterans affairs minister, an Indigenous woman, quit amid allegations that when she was justice minister, he and his staff had improperly pressured her to strike a deal that would have allowed a large Canadian corporation to avoid a criminal conviction on corruption charges.

Despite his championing of diversity, it emerged during the 2019 election that Trudeau had worn blackface or brownface three times in the past. And last year a charity with deep connections to his family was awarded a no-bid contract to administer a COVID-19 financial assistance plan for students. (The group withdrew, the program was cancelled, and Trudeau was cleared by the federal ethics and conflict of interest commissioner.)

His opponents have also focused on promises they say he has fallen short on, including introducing a national prescription drug program, creating a new electoral structure for Canada, lowering debt relative to the size of the economy, and ending widespread sexual harassment in the military and solitary confinement in federal prisons. The Center for Public Policy Analysis at Laval University in Quebec City found that Trudeau has fully kept about 45% of his promises, while 27% were partly fulfilled.

Singh has been reminding voters that Trudeau vowed to bring clean drinking water to all Indigenous communities. There were 105 boil-water orders in effect at First Nations when Trudeau took power, with others added later. The government has restored clean water to 109 communities, but 52 boil-water orders remain.

“I think Mr. Trudeau may care, I think he cares, but the reality is that he’s often done a lot of things for show and hasn’t backed those up with real action,” Singh said during the official English-language debate.

O’Toole, for his part, has sought to portray the vote as an act of personal aggrandizement.

“Every Canadian has met a Justin Trudeau in their lives: privileged, entitled and always looking out for No. 1,” he said at a recent event in rural Ottawa. “He was looking out for No. 1 when he called this expensive and unnecessary election in the middle of a pandemic.”

Security and secrecy have increased at Trudeau’s campaign stops after several of them were disrupted by protesters angry about mandatory COVID-19 vaccination rules and vaccine passport measures that the prime minister has imposed.

At the rally outside a banquet hall in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, Trudeau, sleeves rolled up and microphone in hand, gave an energetic speech before diving into a mostly South Asian crowd eager to pose for pictures with him.

In a change from previous practice, the crowd had been gathered by invitation rather than by public announcement, partly to keep its size within pandemic limits, and no signs promoted the event on the formidable gate to the remote location. Up on the hall’s roof, two police snipers in camouflage surveyed the scene.

After an earlier rally in Ontario was cancelled, Trudeau was asked if U.S. politics had inspired the unruly protests. His answer was indirect.

“I think we all need to reflect on whether we do want to go down that path of anger, of division, of intolerance,” he said. “I’ve never seen this intensity of anger on the campaign trail or in Canada.”

Translating wider poll results into precise predictions of how many seats the parties will hold in the next House of Commons is not possible. But all of the current polling suggests that Trudeau may have alienated many Canadians with an early election call and endured abuse while campaigning, for no political gain. The most likely outcome is that the Liberals will continue to hold power but not gain the majority he sought.

If that proves to be the case, Butts said, “it’s going to end up pretty close to where we left off, which is a great irony.”

Outside a TV studio in a Vancouver, British Columbia, suburb where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada was recording an interview days before the country’s election, a man shouted insults, mostly obscene, about Trudeau and his family while blasting Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” from a stereo on a cart.

Outside a TV studio in a Vancouver, British Columbia, suburb where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada was recording an interview days before the country’s election, a man shouted insults, mostly obscene, about Trudeau and his family while blasting Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” from a stereo on a cart. Heckling is something Trudeau has always faced, but this time the attacks have new bite. After six years in office, a prime minister who promised “sunny ways” and presented himself as a new face is now the political establishment, with a track record and missteps for opponents to criticize. Even if the Liberal Party clings to its hold on Parliament, as observers expect, this bruising election campaign has done him no favours. Ben Chin, the prime minister’s senior adviser, said that no politician could have sustained Trudeau’s initial popularity. “If you’re in power for six years or five years, you’re going to have more baggage,” Chin said. “You have to make tough decisions that not everybody’s going to agree with.” For much of his time in office, opposition party leaders have accused Trudeau of putting his personal and political interests before the nation’s good — of which the snap election being held Monday is the most recent example. They also have had rich material to attack him on over controversies involving a contract for a charity close to his family, and a finding that he broke ethics laws by pressing a minister to help a large Quebec company avoid criminal sanctions. And for every accomplishment Trudeau cites, his opponents can point to unfulfilled pledges. Anti-vax protesters have thronged his events, some with signs promoting the far-right People’s Party of Canada, prompting his security detail to increase precautions. One rally in Ontario where protesters significantly outnumbered the police was shut down over safety concerns, and at another in the same province, the prime minister was pelted with gravel as he boarded his campaign bus. A local official of the People’s Party later faced charges in that episode of assault with a weapon. Trudeau has many achievements since 2015 to point to. His government has introduced carbon pricing and other climate measures, legalized cannabis, increased spending for Indigenous issues and made 1,500 models of military-style rifles illegal. A new plan will provide daycare for 10 Canadian dollars a day per child. Although his popularity has diminished, Trudeau’s star power remains. When he dropped by the outdoor terrace of a cafe in Port Coquitlam, an eastern suburb of Vancouver, for elbow bumps, quick chats and selfies with voters, a crowd soon swelled. “We love you, we love you,” Joy Silver, a 76-year-old retired schoolteacher from nearby Coquitlam, told Trudeau. But as Election Day nears, many Canadians are still asking why Trudeau is holding a vote now, two years ahead of schedule, with COVID-19 infections on the rise from the delta variant, taxing hospitals and prompting renewed pandemic restrictions in some provinces or delaying their lifting in others. Also criticized was that he called the vote the same weekend Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, when Canadian troops were struggling to evacuate Canadians as well as Afghans who had assisted their forces. “They’ve been struggling with answering that question the whole campaign,” said Gerald Butts, a longtime friend of Trudeau’s and a former top political adviser. “And that’s part of why they’re having trouble getting the message across.” Trudeau has said that he needs to replace his plurality in the House of Commons with a majority to deal with the remainder of the pandemic and the recovery that will follow — although he avoids explicitly saying “majority.” The Liberal Party’s political calculation was that it was best to strike while Canadians still held favourable views about how Trudeau handled pandemic issues, particularly income supports and buying vaccines. “We’re the party with the experience, the team and the plan to continue delivering real results for Canadians, the party with a real commitment to ending this pandemic,” Trudeau said at a rally in Surrey, another Vancouver suburb, standing in front of campaign signs for candidates from the surrounding area. “Above all, my friends, if you want to end this pandemic for good, go out and vote Liberal.” During much of the 36-day campaign, the Liberals have been stuck in a statistical tie with the Conservative Party of Canada, led by Erin O’Toole, each holding about 30% of the popular vote. The New Democrats, a left-of-center party led by Jagmeet Singh, lies well behind at about 20%. Kimberly Speers, a political scientist at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, said that Trudeau’s personality and celebrity may be working against him. “The messaging, from the NDP and the Conservatives especially, is that it’s a power grab and it’s all about him,” she said. “And that message has just really seemed to stick with voters.” Some scandals during Trudeau’s tenure have helped the opposition, too. In 2019, Trudeau’s veterans affairs minister, an Indigenous woman, quit amid allegations that when she was justice minister, he and his staff had improperly pressured her to strike a deal that would have allowed a large Canadian corporation to avoid a criminal conviction on corruption charges. Despite his championing of diversity, it emerged during the 2019 election that Trudeau had worn blackface or brownface three times in the past. And last year a charity with deep connections to his family was awarded a no-bid contract to administer a COVID-19 financial assistance plan for students. (The group withdrew, the program was cancelled, and Trudeau was cleared by the federal ethics and conflict of interest commissioner.) His opponents have also focused on promises they say he has fallen short on, including introducing a national prescription drug program, creating a new electoral structure for Canada, lowering debt relative to the size of the economy, and ending widespread sexual harassment in the military and solitary confinement in federal prisons. The Center for Public Policy Analysis at Laval University in Quebec City found that Trudeau has fully kept about 45% of his promises, while 27% were partly fulfilled. Singh has been reminding voters that Trudeau vowed to bring clean drinking water to all Indigenous communities. There were 105 boil-water orders in effect at First Nations when Trudeau took power, with others added later. The government has restored clean water to 109 communities, but 52 boil-water orders remain. “I think Mr. Trudeau may care, I think he cares, but the reality is that he’s often done a lot of things for show and hasn’t backed those up with real action,” Singh said during the official English-language debate. O’Toole, for his part, has sought to portray the vote as an act of personal aggrandizement. “Every Canadian has met a Justin Trudeau in their lives: privileged, entitled and always looking out for No. 1,” he said at a recent event in rural Ottawa. “He was looking out for No. 1 when he called this expensive and unnecessary election in the middle of a pandemic.” Security and secrecy have increased at Trudeau’s campaign stops after several of them were disrupted by protesters angry about mandatory COVID-19 vaccination rules and vaccine passport measures that the prime minister has imposed. At the rally outside a banquet hall in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey, Trudeau, sleeves rolled up and microphone in hand, gave an energetic speech before diving into a mostly South Asian crowd eager to pose for pictures with him. In a change from previous practice, the crowd had been gathered by invitation rather than by public announcement, partly to keep its size within pandemic limits, and no signs promoted the event on the formidable gate to the remote location. Up on the hall’s roof, two police snipers in camouflage surveyed the scene. After an earlier rally in Ontario was cancelled, Trudeau was asked if U.S. politics had inspired the unruly protests. His answer was indirect. “I think we all need to reflect on whether we do want to go down that path of anger, of division, of intolerance,” he said. “I’ve never seen this intensity of anger on the campaign trail or in Canada.” Translating wider poll results into precise predictions of how many seats the parties will hold in the next House of Commons is not possible. But all of the current polling suggests that Trudeau may have alienated many Canadians with an early election call and endured abuse while campaigning, for no political gain. The most likely outcome is that the Liberals will continue to hold power but not gain the majority he sought. If that proves to be the case, Butts said, “it’s going to end up pretty close to where we left off, which is a great irony.”

Trudeau seeks a fresh start, but many voters see a power grab

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had hoped to secure a majority in parliament when he called a snap election, but a lackluster campaign and public anger over a vote during a pandemic are putting his chances of victory at risk.

Trudeau, in power since 2015, decided to gamble on an early vote and capitalise on his government`s handling of the pandemic, which included massive spending to support individuals and businesses and high vaccination rates.

But, with less than a week until the Sept. 20 election, Trudeaus Liberals are nowhere near the 38% needed for a majority and may even lose to the Conservatives, led by the relatively unknown Erin O'Toole.

Insiders blame what they call an initially low-energy campaign and the inevitable political baggage that Trudeau, 49, has accumulated since he took office six years ago promising "sunny ways."

"I wish he hadn't called it," a Liberal insider said of Trudeaus decision to run for re-election two years before his term ends.

Trudeau says he needs a new mandate to ensure Canadians approve of his plan for getting the country past the coronavirus pandemic. The Liberals, whose fiscal policy support for the pandemic exceeds 23% of GDP, plan billions in new spending to support economic recovery if re-elected.

'BLOOM DEFINITELY OFF THE ROSE'

In mid-August, when the election was called, the Liberals were well ahead of the Conservatives in opinion polls and seemed headed for an easy victory.

That quickly changed and the Liberals spent weeks trailing the Conservatives in the polls before edging back ahead in recent days.

O' Toole, 48, and other party leaders repeatedly condemned the vote call as a cynical power grab during a fourth wave of the pandemic, and those words appeared to have resonated with Canadians, drained by successive lockdowns.

The Liberal campaign stumbled from the start, failing to provide a convincing reason for calling an early election and dogged by missteps like being flagged for manipulating a video of O`Toole talking about private healthcare on Twitter.

Liberal candidates knocking on doors reported increasing fatigue with Trudeau, who gave daily televised briefings for months about what Ottawa was doing to tackle COVID-19.

His domination of the airwaves, once an advantage, has instead led to a sense that the Trudeau brand has grown tired, according to four people directly familiar with the campaign.

"The bloom is definitely off the rose," said one senior Liberal campaigning in Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces. The Liberals hold 75 of the 121 seats there and need another good performance to stay in power.

"There is a fatigue. ... People are saying: `Just go away, don't bother me, I want to live my life, "said the liberal, who, like others being quoted, requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

During the campaign, every new Liberal promise - including billions of dollars for healthcare or a new plan to help people trying to buy their first home – has been met with questions about why the Liberal government did not do it during its six years in power.

Trudeau took office in 2015 thanks in part to support from progressives, who liked his promises of action to combat climate change, boost women`s rights and help the marginalised indigenous population.

But since then, Canada's emissions of greenhouse gases have climbed ever higher and the government bought an oil pipeline to ensure crude could keep flowing.

"Progressives have fallen out of love with us," another senior Liberal said.

The re-emergence of ethics scandals has added to the campaign`s woes.

On Saturday, excerpts of a new book by his former justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, were published, saying Trudeau had wanted her to lie to the public in 2019. Trudeau denied the accusation.

"As you work hard for Canadians, over the years, you end up carrying a number of things," Trudeau told reporters.

In 2019, he was censured for violating ethics rules by pressuring Wilson-Raybould in a corporate legal case before the previous election.

CELEBRITY AND BRAND NAME

The Liberal leader, however, is a veteran on the hustings. As the eldest son of longtime Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, he has spent his life in the public eye.

During the 2019 campaign, which threatened to blow up after old pictures of him in blackface emerged, Trudeau fought back and secured a minority government.

Trudeau aides had long expressed confidence he would pull ahead toward the end of the campaign after two nationally televised debates last week.

"Momentum is building," said a senior campaign official, who is privy to internal polling.

Over the weekend, polls started to show the Liberals moving slightly ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in at least three weeks. A Nanos Research poll for CTV on Monday put the Liberals at 33.2% support, with the Conservatives at 30.2%.

As Trudeau campaigned on Saturday in a Quebec constituency held by the separatist Bloc Quebecois, people thronged to him for selfies and elbow bumps as he worked the crowd.

Trudeau has inherent political instinct and a "combination of celebrity and brand name," said Alex Marland, a professor and expert on political communications and branding at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

"Hardly any leaders have the Trudeau magic. ... It`s almost not fair."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had hoped to secure a majority in parliament when he called a snap election, but a lackluster campaign and public anger over a vote during a pandemic are putting his chances of victory at risk.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had hoped to secure a majority in parliament when he called a snap election, but a lackluster campaign and public anger over a vote during a pandemic are putting his chances of victory at risk. Trudeau, in power since 2015, decided to gamble on an early vote and capitalise on his government`s handling of the pandemic, which included massive spending to support individuals and businesses and high vaccination rates. But, with less than a week until the Sept. 20 election, Trudeaus Liberals are nowhere near the 38% needed for a majority and may even lose to the Conservatives, led by the relatively unknown Erin O'Toole. Insiders blame what they call an initially low-energy campaign and the inevitable political baggage that Trudeau, 49, has accumulated since he took office six years ago promising "sunny ways." "I wish he hadn't called it," a Liberal insider said of Trudeaus decision to run for re-election two years before his term ends. Trudeau says he needs a new mandate to ensure Canadians approve of his plan for getting the country past the coronavirus pandemic. The Liberals, whose fiscal policy support for the pandemic exceeds 23% of GDP, plan billions in new spending to support economic recovery if re-elected. 'BLOOM DEFINITELY OFF THE ROSE' In mid-August, when the election was called, the Liberals were well ahead of the Conservatives in opinion polls and seemed headed for an easy victory. That quickly changed and the Liberals spent weeks trailing the Conservatives in the polls before edging back ahead in recent days. O' Toole, 48, and other party leaders repeatedly condemned the vote call as a cynical power grab during a fourth wave of the pandemic, and those words appeared to have resonated with Canadians, drained by successive lockdowns. The Liberal campaign stumbled from the start, failing to provide a convincing reason for calling an early election and dogged by missteps like being flagged for manipulating a video of O`Toole talking about private healthcare on Twitter. Liberal candidates knocking on doors reported increasing fatigue with Trudeau, who gave daily televised briefings for months about what Ottawa was doing to tackle COVID-19. His domination of the airwaves, once an advantage, has instead led to a sense that the Trudeau brand has grown tired, according to four people directly familiar with the campaign. "The bloom is definitely off the rose," said one senior Liberal campaigning in Ontario, the most populous of the 10 provinces. The Liberals hold 75 of the 121 seats there and need another good performance to stay in power. "There is a fatigue. ... People are saying: `Just go away, don't bother me, I want to live my life, "said the liberal, who, like others being quoted, requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. During the campaign, every new Liberal promise - including billions of dollars for healthcare or a new plan to help people trying to buy their first home – has been met with questions about why the Liberal government did not do it during its six years in power. Trudeau took office in 2015 thanks in part to support from progressives, who liked his promises of action to combat climate change, boost women`s rights and help the marginalised indigenous population. But since then, Canada's emissions of greenhouse gases have climbed ever higher and the government bought an oil pipeline to ensure crude could keep flowing. "Progressives have fallen out of love with us," another senior Liberal said. The re-emergence of ethics scandals has added to the campaign`s woes. On Saturday, excerpts of a new book by his former justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, were published, saying Trudeau had wanted her to lie to the public in 2019. Trudeau denied the accusation. "As you work hard for Canadians, over the years, you end up carrying a number of things," Trudeau told reporters. In 2019, he was censured for violating ethics rules by pressuring Wilson-Raybould in a corporate legal case before the previous election. CELEBRITY AND BRAND NAME The Liberal leader, however, is a veteran on the hustings. As the eldest son of longtime Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, he has spent his life in the public eye. During the 2019 campaign, which threatened to blow up after old pictures of him in blackface emerged, Trudeau fought back and secured a minority government. Trudeau aides had long expressed confidence he would pull ahead toward the end of the campaign after two nationally televised debates last week. "Momentum is building," said a senior campaign official, who is privy to internal polling. Over the weekend, polls started to show the Liberals moving slightly ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in at least three weeks. A Nanos Research poll for CTV on Monday put the Liberals at 33.2% support, with the Conservatives at 30.2%. As Trudeau campaigned on Saturday in a Quebec constituency held by the separatist Bloc Quebecois, people thronged to him for selfies and elbow bumps as he worked the crowd. Trudeau has inherent political instinct and a "combination of celebrity and brand name," said Alex Marland, a professor and expert on political communications and branding at Memorial University of Newfoundland. "Hardly any leaders have the Trudeau magic. ... It`s almost not fair."

Canada's Justin Trudeau sought a poll he risks losing with only a week to go

With less than two weeks to go before the snap elections, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau duked it out with Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole.

Justin Trudeau's early Canada election call backfires

Canada will go to the polls on September 20. PM Justin Trudeau has called for snap elections. He is hoping to win a majority in the Parliament. Experts say Trudeau's party could lose, and Trudeau could find himself out of office in 2 weeks. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Canada heads to polls on September 20

&nbsp;Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a possible election defeat, on Wednesday lashed out at his main rival, accusing him of favouring restrictions on abortion and wanting to loosen gun controls.

Opinion polls show the right-leaning Conservatives of Erin O'Toole could win the September&nbsp;20 vote, ending six years of rule by the left-of-centre&nbsp;Liberals.

At the end of an otherwise unremarkable two-hour leaders' debate in French, Trudeau said O'Toole had sided with the gun lobby and wanted to overturn a Liberal ban on assault weapons.

He also said dozens of Conservative Parliamentarians had voted in favor of draft legislation to curb abortions that was defeated in the House of Commons in June.

"Mr O'Toole refused to tell Canadians what he wants to do. He signs deals with special interest groups," Trudeau said. "He is offering weak leadership ... he can't be trusted."

O'Toole, who has consistently attacked Trudeau's decision to call a snap election during the COVID-19 pandemic, retorted that the Liberal leader would "say anything to win" and said he was in favour of abortion rights.

Last Sunday O'Toole scrapped a campaign promise to eliminate a ban on some assault weapons after Trudeau accused him of cozying up to the gun lobby.

Trudeau called the election two years ahead of schedule as a referendum on his handling of the pandemic but has struggled to overcome voter fatigue.

Wednesday's two-hour debate was the second and final one to be held in French, which is predominantly spoken in Quebec. The province accounts for 78 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons and is crucial for any party seeking office.

The leaders will hold another debate on Thursday in English, the language spoken by two-thirds of Canada's 38 million population.

An Ipsos Research poll for Global News on Wednesday put the Conservatives at 35 per cent public support, with the Liberals at 32 per cent and the left-leaning New Democrats at 21 per cent.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a possible election defeat, on Wednesday lashed out at his main rival, accusing him of favouring restrictions on abortion and wanting to loosen gun controls.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a possible election defeat, on Wednesday lashed out at his main rival, accusing him of favouring restrictions on abortion and wanting to loosen gun controls. Opinion polls show the right-leaning Conservatives of Erin O'Toole could win the September 20 vote, ending six years of rule by the left-of-centre Liberals. At the end of an otherwise unremarkable two-hour leaders' debate in French, Trudeau said O'Toole had sided with the gun lobby and wanted to overturn a Liberal ban on assault weapons. He also said dozens of Conservative Parliamentarians had voted in favor of draft legislation to curb abortions that was defeated in the House of Commons in June. "Mr O'Toole refused to tell Canadians what he wants to do. He signs deals with special interest groups," Trudeau said. "He is offering weak leadership ... he can't be trusted." O'Toole, who has consistently attacked Trudeau's decision to call a snap election during the COVID-19 pandemic, retorted that the Liberal leader would "say anything to win" and said he was in favour of abortion rights. Last Sunday O'Toole scrapped a campaign promise to eliminate a ban on some assault weapons after Trudeau accused him of cozying up to the gun lobby. Trudeau called the election two years ahead of schedule as a referendum on his handling of the pandemic but has struggled to overcome voter fatigue. Wednesday's two-hour debate was the second and final one to be held in French, which is predominantly spoken in Quebec. The province accounts for 78 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons and is crucial for any party seeking office. The leaders will hold another debate on Thursday in English, the language spoken by two-thirds of Canada's 38 million population. An Ipsos Research poll for Global News on Wednesday put the Conservatives at 35 per cent public support, with the Liberals at 32 per cent and the left-leaning New Democrats at 21 per cent.

Canada PM Trudeau accuses main rival of favouring abortion curbs, gun owners

Stones were thrown at Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign event. The incident took place as he was leaving an event at a microbrewery in London, a city southwest of Toronto in Ontario province

Trudeau, members of his security detail and journalists were reportedly struck. No one was injured. the video below is being widely shared as the one being of the incident.

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🇨🇦 The Prime Minister of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Canada?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Canada</a>, Justin Trudeau, was thrown with small stones after his election rally. 
 
Trudeau was not injured. This is not the first time, the leader of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Liberal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Liberal</a> Party was accompanied by protesters in an election campaign. <a href="https://t.co/RWDIzxKr6Q">pic.twitter.com/RWDIzxKr6Q</a>
— GLOBAL NEWS NEXUS (@globalnwsnexus) <a href="https://twitter.com/globalnwsnexus/status/1435123093609988100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The incident drew condemnation from Trudeau's main rival, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh.

Trudeau -- who has slipped in the polls and is now in a statistical dead heat with O'Toole -- has faced off on several recent occasions with what he described as "anti-vaxxer mobs" angry with his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Protesters enraged over proposed mandatory coronavirus vaccines and other crisis measures have shouted racial and misogynist slurs at his entourage.

Trudeau was forced to cancel an event due to security reasons.

"Yes, there is a small fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesn't believe in science, that is lashing out with racist, misogynistic attacks," Trudeau said at a campaign stop.

"But Canadians, the vast majority of Canadians, are not represented by them, and I know will not allow those voices, those special interest groups, those protesters -- I don't even want to call them protesters, those anti-vaxxer mobs -- to dictate how this country gets through this pandemic."

(With inputs from agencies)

Stones were thrown at Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign event. The incident took place as he was leaving an event at a microbrewery in London, a city southwest of Toronto in Ontario province Trudeau, members of his security detail and journalists were reportedly struck.

Stones were thrown at Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an election campaign event. The incident took place as he was leaving an event at a microbrewery in London, a city southwest of Toronto in Ontario province Trudeau, members of his security detail and journalists were reportedly struck. No one was injured. the video below is being widely shared as the one being of the incident. 🇨🇦 The Prime Minister of #Canada, Justin Trudeau, was thrown with small stones after his election rally. Trudeau was not injured. This is not the first time, the leader of the #Liberal Party was accompanied by protesters in an election campaign. pic.twitter.com/RWDIzxKr6Q — GLOBAL NEWS NEXUS (@globalnwsnexus) September 7, 2021 × The incident drew condemnation from Trudeau's main rival, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. Trudeau -- who has slipped in the polls and is now in a statistical dead heat with O'Toole -- has faced off on several recent occasions with what he described as "anti-vaxxer mobs" angry with his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Protesters enraged over proposed mandatory coronavirus vaccines and other crisis measures have shouted racial and misogynist slurs at his entourage. Trudeau was forced to cancel an event due to security reasons. "Yes, there is a small fringe element in this country that is angry, that doesn't believe in science, that is lashing out with racist, misogynistic attacks," Trudeau said at a campaign stop. "But Canadians, the vast majority of Canadians, are not represented by them, and I know will not allow those voices, those special interest groups, those protesters -- I don't even want to call them protesters, those anti-vaxxer mobs -- to dictate how this country gets through this pandemic." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Stones thrown at Justin Trudeau at election campaign event

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trailing in opinion polls, attacked his rival on Monday for waffling on gun control and vaccine mandates. The election campaign has entered the final stretch. The elections are on September 20.

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole on Sunday scrapped a campaign promise to eliminate a ban on some assault weapons, a sensitive issue in Canada after mass shootings in recent years. Trudeau sought to capitalise on his opponent's shift with just two weeks left to reverse his fortunes.

O'Toole "will say anything to try and get elected," Trudeau told supporters at a campaign event in southern Ontario, Canada's most-populous province. "That's not leadership. That's not integrity."

After being criticised by O'Toole for calling the election two years early during a rising fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trudeau assailed his rival's opposition to vaccine mandates, including for his own candidates.

Trudeau said O'Toole was pandering to anti-vaxxers just as he had to the gun lobby. Trudeau has received even death threats from anti-vaccine hecklers.

"Erin O'Toole is at least taking some of his cues from (the anti-vax crowd)," Trudeau said.

"Canadians are beginning to see that that's the future being offered by Erin O'Toole, a future of wishy-washy, weak leadership where he doesn't stand up for what he believes in, doesn't tell Canadians what he actually believes," he said.

Speaking in Ottawa, O'Toole refused to say how many of his candidates had not been inoculated. He has said those who are not vaccinated must be tested daily.

"Our approach, with respect to vaccinations, is we try and encourage and inform and work with people, but we will respect their personal health decisions," O'Toole said.

Liberal strategists have said the crucial period of the campaign starts after Labor Day, because Canadians have been more focused until now on their summer vacations than the election.

(With input from agencies)

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trailing in opinion polls, attacked his rival on Monday for waffling on gun control and vaccine mandates. The election campaign has entered the final stretch.

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trailing in opinion polls, attacked his rival on Monday for waffling on gun control and vaccine mandates. The election campaign has entered the final stretch. The elections are on September 20. Conservative leader Erin O'Toole on Sunday scrapped a campaign promise to eliminate a ban on some assault weapons, a sensitive issue in Canada after mass shootings in recent years. Trudeau sought to capitalise on his opponent's shift with just two weeks left to reverse his fortunes. O'Toole "will say anything to try and get elected," Trudeau told supporters at a campaign event in southern Ontario, Canada's most-populous province. "That's not leadership. That's not integrity." After being criticised by O'Toole for calling the election two years early during a rising fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trudeau assailed his rival's opposition to vaccine mandates, including for his own candidates. Trudeau said O'Toole was pandering to anti-vaxxers just as he had to the gun lobby. Trudeau has received even death threats from anti-vaccine hecklers. "Erin O'Toole is at least taking some of his cues from (the anti-vax crowd)," Trudeau said. "Canadians are beginning to see that that's the future being offered by Erin O'Toole, a future of wishy-washy, weak leadership where he doesn't stand up for what he believes in, doesn't tell Canadians what he actually believes," he said. Speaking in Ottawa, O'Toole refused to say how many of his candidates had not been inoculated. He has said those who are not vaccinated must be tested daily. "Our approach, with respect to vaccinations, is we try and encourage and inform and work with people, but we will respect their personal health decisions," O'Toole said. Liberal strategists have said the crucial period of the campaign starts after Labor Day, because Canadians have been more focused until now on their summer vacations than the election. (With input from agencies)

Canada polls: Trudeau goes on the offensive weeks before election

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau devoted most of his time in a first election debate late Tuesday to discussing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and hit out at his main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

The French-language dustup, less than three weeks before voting, saw the one-time golden boy of Canadian politics square off against O'Toole, whom he now trails in public opinion polls, as well as New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Yves-Francois Blanchet at the reins of the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

They sparred over mandatory Covid vaccines, child care, taxation and the economy, oil and climate change, gun violence, the #MeToo movement, racism and "Quebec bashing."

"You do not know the issues, Mr. O'Toole!," Trudeau said. "You have not costed any of your policy proposals. It is not a serious plan."

He also accused the frontrunner of supporting "two-tier" private and public health care, which a majority of Canadians reject.

At the same time, Trudeau found himself on the defensive for having called the snap election only 18 months after the last general election, which he defended by saying a new mandate was needed to steer the nation out of the pandemic.&nbsp;

"We must give Canadians the choice," he shot back at challengers as he picked apart the Conservatives' election plank.

The Liberals called the election while high in the polls, hoping to regain a majority in the House of Commons, but Trudeau stumbled in the first two weeks of the campaign.

Few wanted an election now, when Canadians are just starting to emerge from pandemic lockdowns of the past year to return to the office and send their kids back to school, and O'Toole made sure Trudeau knew it.

"Now is not the right time for an election," O'Toole said, accusing Trudeau of "putting his own interests ahead of Canadians' interests."&nbsp;

The other two leaders also piled on with similar rebukes.

After six years of Liberal rule, the Tory leader presented himself to the nation as the face of "change" and fiscal restraint after the Liberals ran up massive deficits to help households and businesses weather the pandemic.

Two more nationally-televised leaders debates, one in French and one in English, are scheduled for September 8 and 9.

The four main party leaders will be joined then by the Greens' Annamie Paul.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau devoted most of his time in a first election debate late Tuesday to discussing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and hit out at his main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau devoted most of his time in a first election debate late Tuesday to discussing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and hit out at his main challenger, Conservative leader Erin O'Toole. The French-language dustup, less than three weeks before voting, saw the one-time golden boy of Canadian politics square off against O'Toole, whom he now trails in public opinion polls, as well as New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Yves-Francois Blanchet at the reins of the separatist Bloc Quebecois. They sparred over mandatory Covid vaccines, child care, taxation and the economy, oil and climate change, gun violence, the #MeToo movement, racism and "Quebec bashing." "You do not know the issues, Mr. O'Toole!," Trudeau said. "You have not costed any of your policy proposals. It is not a serious plan." He also accused the frontrunner of supporting "two-tier" private and public health care, which a majority of Canadians reject. At the same time, Trudeau found himself on the defensive for having called the snap election only 18 months after the last general election, which he defended by saying a new mandate was needed to steer the nation out of the pandemic. "We must give Canadians the choice," he shot back at challengers as he picked apart the Conservatives' election plank. The Liberals called the election while high in the polls, hoping to regain a majority in the House of Commons, but Trudeau stumbled in the first two weeks of the campaign. Few wanted an election now, when Canadians are just starting to emerge from pandemic lockdowns of the past year to return to the office and send their kids back to school, and O'Toole made sure Trudeau knew it. "Now is not the right time for an election," O'Toole said, accusing Trudeau of "putting his own interests ahead of Canadians' interests." The other two leaders also piled on with similar rebukes. After six years of Liberal rule, the Tory leader presented himself to the nation as the face of "change" and fiscal restraint after the Liberals ran up massive deficits to help households and businesses weather the pandemic. Two more nationally-televised leaders debates, one in French and one in English, are scheduled for September 8 and 9. The four main party leaders will be joined then by the Greens' Annamie Paul.

Justin Trudeau's first Canada election debate a slugfest

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party on Wednesday pledged a whopping C$78 billion ($62 billion) in new investments over five years, with a focus on healthcare, if it wins the Sept. 20 federal election.

The investments would be partially offset by more than C$25 billion in new revenue, mostly from a higher tax&nbsp;on profits of banks and insurers and fighting tax evasion, the party said in releasing its full election platform.

These investments are in addition to the C$101 billion in extra spending over three years passed in a budget&nbsp;earlier this year, and would be spread over five years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

The Liberals spent heavily on programs to shield citizens and businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving the national debt and budget deficits to record highs. Trudeau sidestepped repeated questions as to when the budget might be balanced.

"I think it matters to be fiscally responsible. I think it matters to live within our means," he told a news conference in Toronto. "I think it also matters to be making the right investments so that future generations can prosper."

"This is a plan for jobs and growth," Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said standing alongside Trudeau.

Debt as a percentage of gross domestic product is projected to decline 2 percentage points to 46.5% in 2025-26, the Liberals said.

Trudeau called a snap vote two years early on Aug 15 hoping his management of the pandemic and his vaccine roll out would be a springboard to a majority.&nbsp;

But the polls show Trudeau's Liberals in a statistical tie with Erin O'Toole's Conservatives less than three weeks before the vote.&nbsp;

The platform is "more borrowing, more debt, higher taxes, and rising prices," said Dan Robertson, chief of strategy for O'Toole, on Twitter.

O'Toole has also put forward a big-spending platform, but he said on Tuesday he would balance the budget in 10 years time "without cuts" and only by boosting revenues through stronger economic growth. The Conservatives have yet to detail the costs of their platform.

"If he doesn't show the numbers, why should Canadians believe him?" Trudeau said of O'Toole's pledge to balance the budget. "He's relying on a level of magical thinking that involves 3 per cent&nbsp;growth every single year."

Most of the individual policies in the Liberal platform have been announced, but this is the first glimpse at full pricing of the plan with investments focused on improving long-term care, mental health, indigenous health, and lowering soaring housing&nbsp;costs.

One new element in the platform is a promise by Liberals to increase accessibility for abortions across the country while revoking the charity status of anti-abortion organizations, an issue that has historically divided Canadian Conservatives.

While legal in&nbsp;Canada, access to abortions varies by province. Trudeau has suggested that a woman's right to choose could be threatened if the Conservatives win, given that some social conservatives want abortion limits to be imposed. O'Toole reiterated on Wednesday that he is pro-choice.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party on Wednesday pledged a whopping C$78 billion ($62 billion) in new investments over five years, with a focus on healthcare, if it wins the Sept.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party on Wednesday pledged a whopping C$78 billion ($62 billion) in new investments over five years, with a focus on healthcare, if it wins the Sept. 20 federal election. The investments would be partially offset by more than C$25 billion in new revenue, mostly from a higher tax on profits of banks and insurers and fighting tax evasion, the party said in releasing its full election platform. These investments are in addition to the C$101 billion in extra spending over three years passed in a budget earlier this year, and would be spread over five years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The Liberals spent heavily on programs to shield citizens and businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving the national debt and budget deficits to record highs. Trudeau sidestepped repeated questions as to when the budget might be balanced. "I think it matters to be fiscally responsible. I think it matters to live within our means," he told a news conference in Toronto. "I think it also matters to be making the right investments so that future generations can prosper." "This is a plan for jobs and growth," Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said standing alongside Trudeau. Debt as a percentage of gross domestic product is projected to decline 2 percentage points to 46.5% in 2025-26, the Liberals said. Trudeau called a snap vote two years early on Aug 15 hoping his management of the pandemic and his vaccine roll out would be a springboard to a majority. But the polls show Trudeau's Liberals in a statistical tie with Erin O'Toole's Conservatives less than three weeks before the vote. The platform is "more borrowing, more debt, higher taxes, and rising prices," said Dan Robertson, chief of strategy for O'Toole, on Twitter. O'Toole has also put forward a big-spending platform, but he said on Tuesday he would balance the budget in 10 years time "without cuts" and only by boosting revenues through stronger economic growth. The Conservatives have yet to detail the costs of their platform. "If he doesn't show the numbers, why should Canadians believe him?" Trudeau said of O'Toole's pledge to balance the budget. "He's relying on a level of magical thinking that involves 3 per cent growth every single year." Most of the individual policies in the Liberal platform have been announced, but this is the first glimpse at full pricing of the plan with investments focused on improving long-term care, mental health, indigenous health, and lowering soaring housing costs. One new element in the platform is a promise by Liberals to increase accessibility for abortions across the country while revoking the charity status of anti-abortion organizations, an issue that has historically divided Canadian Conservatives. While legal in Canada, access to abortions varies by province. Trudeau has suggested that a woman's right to choose could be threatened if the Conservatives win, given that some social conservatives want abortion limits to be imposed. O'Toole reiterated on Wednesday that he is pro-choice.

Canada's ruling Liberals pledge massive new investments as election looms

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau restarted his election campaigning after canceling weekend rallies due to vocal and disrupting protesters.

Canada: Trudeau resumes election campaign after angry crowds disrupt rallies

Canada's Federal Conservative Party has made significant gains compared with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals ahead of the upcoming federal election.

Canada Election 2021: Conservatives make gains weeks ahead of vote

Canadian minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development Maryam Monsef faced backlash after she called the Taliban 'brothers' on the government’s response to the situation in Afghanistan.

During an online press meet, Monsef said ''I want to take this opportunity to speak to our brothers, the Taliban, ensure the safe and secure passage of any individual in Afghanistan out of the country.''

''We call on you to immediately stop the violence, the genocide, the femicide, the destruction of infrastructure, including heritage buildings. We call on you to return immediately to return to the peace-keeping table, to the peace deal that was negotiated, and to ensure that women and minority voices are part of that discussion in a meaningful way, she added.

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No one should be surprised that Maryam Monsef considers the Taliban ‘our brothers’. Her boss admires China’s dictatorship and Castro. He’s turning into a wannabe tyrant. 
 
It’s just another proof that today’s woke Left has an authoritarian mindset. 
<a href="https://t.co/N2CysAgVMi">pic.twitter.com/N2CysAgVMi</a>
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaximeBernier/status/1430567254245138437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Later, Monsef issued a justification and clarified that it was a ''cultural reference'' after a clipping of the video went viral on Twitter and she was heavily criticised for the usage of the term.

Monsef is both the first Afghan-Canadian member of parliament in Canada’s history and&nbsp;the first Muslim to serve as a federal cabinet minister.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kabul-airport-blasts-world-leaders-react-to-cowardly-inhuman-suicide-bomb-attack-408736/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would continue its engagement in Afghanistan even as Canadian forces in Kabul ended evacuation efforts for their citizens and Afghans, ahead of an August 31 deadline.

Asked what his message was to people in Afghanistan who were hoping to be evacuated by Canada before it halted evacuation operations, Trudeau said his government would "put pressure on the Taliban" to ensure the safe passage of evacuees from Afghanistan to Canada.

"We will ensure that in the coming months and years, we bring over 20000 Afghans to their new homes in Canada," Trudeau said.

Canada has evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of around 3,700 Canadian and Afghan citizens.

Twin suicide bombs ripped through crowds outside Kabul airport on Thursday, killing scores of people including 13 US troops, and deepening panic in the final days of an already frenzied evacuation effort from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

The bombings, claimed by the Islamic State group, left scenes of carnage outside the airport where thousands of Afghans desperate to flee their country had massed despite a flurry of foreign government warnings, made just hours before, that a major terror attack was imminent.

Canadian minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development Maryam Monsef faced backlash after she called the Taliban 'brothers' on the government’s response to the situation in Afghanistan.

Canadian minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development Maryam Monsef faced backlash after she called the Taliban 'brothers' on the government’s response to the situation in Afghanistan. During an online press meet, Monsef said ''I want to take this opportunity to speak to our brothers, the Taliban, ensure the safe and secure passage of any individual in Afghanistan out of the country.'' ''We call on you to immediately stop the violence, the genocide, the femicide, the destruction of infrastructure, including heritage buildings. We call on you to return immediately to return to the peace-keeping table, to the peace deal that was negotiated, and to ensure that women and minority voices are part of that discussion in a meaningful way, she added. No one should be surprised that Maryam Monsef considers the Taliban ‘our brothers’. Her boss admires China’s dictatorship and Castro. He’s turning into a wannabe tyrant. It’s just another proof that today’s woke Left has an authoritarian mindset. pic.twitter.com/N2CysAgVMi — Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) August 25, 2021 × Later, Monsef issued a justification and clarified that it was a ''cultural reference'' after a clipping of the video went viral on Twitter and she was heavily criticised for the usage of the term. Monsef is both the first Afghan-Canadian member of parliament in Canada’s history and the first Muslim to serve as a federal cabinet minister. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would continue its engagement in Afghanistan even as Canadian forces in Kabul ended evacuation efforts for their citizens and Afghans, ahead of an August 31 deadline. Asked what his message was to people in Afghanistan who were hoping to be evacuated by Canada before it halted evacuation operations, Trudeau said his government would "put pressure on the Taliban" to ensure the safe passage of evacuees from Afghanistan to Canada. "We will ensure that in the coming months and years, we bring over 20000 Afghans to their new homes in Canada," Trudeau said. Canada has evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of around 3,700 Canadian and Afghan citizens. Twin suicide bombs ripped through crowds outside Kabul airport on Thursday, killing scores of people including 13 US troops, and deepening panic in the final days of an already frenzied evacuation effort from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The bombings, claimed by the Islamic State group, left scenes of carnage outside the airport where thousands of Afghans desperate to flee their country had massed despite a flurry of foreign government warnings, made just hours before, that a major terror attack was imminent.

'Cultural reference': Canadian minister issues clarification after calling Taliban 'brothers'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap September&nbsp;20 election to benefit from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination program, but now faces questions over how his Liberal government dealt with this month's chaos in Kabul.

Canada announced on Thursday it had halted&nbsp;evacuations of its citizens and vulnerable Afghans who worked for Western nations in Afghanistan, admitting it did not know how many were left behind.

Just days before the Afghan capital fell to the Taliban in a lightning advance, Canada said it had identified 6,000 Afghans for evacuation. In the end, only 3,700 Canadian citizens and Afghans were flown out.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-twin-blasts-rock-kabul-13-killed-60-injured-at-afghanistan-evacuation-site-408582" hreflang="en">Live | Twin blasts rock Kabul: 13 killed, 60 injured at Afghan evacuation site</a></h2>

Advocates said Canada's rescue effort was half-hearted, falling far short of what other allies were doing.

Some 54 per cent of Canadians think Ottawa should have acted more quickly to help Afghans, according to a Postmedia/Leger Marketing poll published on Wednesday.

Trudeau, who has governed Canada for nearly six years, has been pressed on Afghanistan on every day of the campaign so far. Last Friday, a reporter read out a message from a person with relatives trapped in Afghanistan who told the prime minister that "their blood will be on your hands" if any were killed by the Taliban.

Trudeau side-stepped the remark, saying: "I can't imagine, the despair, the anguish that so many individuals are facing ... this is a horrific situation."

Canada withdrew the bulk of its troops from Afghanistan in 2011, but participated in a NATO mission to train the Afghan military until 2014 and continued to have diplomats and aid workers on the ground.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/suicide-bomb-attack-at-kabuls-hamid-karzai-international-airport-408617">WATCH |</a>

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"Canada's poor initial response in Kabul points to an extreme of centralized political micro-management," said Andrew Leslie, a retired Canadian general and former head of the army who was a Liberal member of parliament from 2015 to 2019.

Adding to the awkwardness for Trudeau is the fact that his main rival, Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole, is a decorated former Air Force helicopter navigator who served for 13 years.

"The situation on the ground is heartbreaking ... Mr. Trudeau has abandoned people there," O'Toole told reporters on Wednesday, stressing his military experience.

"(Trudeau) has had years to make sure that people who were at risk because they had served Canada are taken out of the country ... he put his political interests ahead of a crisis there."

The Globe and Mail, a national newspaper, said in an editorial on Thursday that "Canada's plan to get marked men and women through a fast-closing door was designed as if there was all the time in the world."

A suspected suicide bomb exploded outside Kabul's airport on Thursday, killing at least 13 people, a Taliban official said. The Pentagon said there were at least two explosions near the airport, with civilians and U.S. service members among the casualties.

Domestic concerns

Trudeau aides say they do not fear much damage from the chaos in Afghanistan ahead of the election, given voters are likely to be focused on domestic matters.

Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, said that expectation may be valid.

"Unless I see Canadian casualties or Canadians being held hostage, I just don't see this figuring," he said.

During the 2015 election campaign, the former Conservative government's campaign was thrown off track by its response to a photograph of the body of a three-year-old Syrian boy who drowned after a boat capsized as his family sought to reach Greece and ultimately Canada.

In opposition at the time, Trudeau said Canada must do much more and said a Liberal government would accept 25,000 Syrian refugees. He went on to win a majority government in the election. Trudeau's Liberals lost their majority in 2019 and have governed since then with the support of opposition parties.

In recent days, Trudeau, who attended a virtual G7 meeting on Afghanistan on Tuesday from a hotel in the Canadian province of Ontario, has rejected any suggestions of bungling, noting the speed of the Taliban's moves caught most observers by surprise.

"Canadians across the country are thinking about, yes, Afghanistan, but they're also thinking about how they're going to get through this pandemic," Trudeau said this week.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap September 20 election to benefit from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination program, but now faces questions over how his Liberal government dealt with this month's chaos in Kabul.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a snap September 20 election to benefit from his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination program, but now faces questions over how his Liberal government dealt with this month's chaos in Kabul. Canada announced on Thursday it had halted evacuations of its citizens and vulnerable Afghans who worked for Western nations in Afghanistan, admitting it did not know how many were left behind. Just days before the Afghan capital fell to the Taliban in a lightning advance, Canada said it had identified 6,000 Afghans for evacuation. In the end, only 3,700 Canadian citizens and Afghans were flown out. Live | Twin blasts rock Kabul: 13 killed, 60 injured at Afghan evacuation site Advocates said Canada's rescue effort was half-hearted, falling far short of what other allies were doing. Some 54 per cent of Canadians think Ottawa should have acted more quickly to help Afghans, according to a Postmedia/Leger Marketing poll published on Wednesday. Trudeau, who has governed Canada for nearly six years, has been pressed on Afghanistan on every day of the campaign so far. Last Friday, a reporter read out a message from a person with relatives trapped in Afghanistan who told the prime minister that "their blood will be on your hands" if any were killed by the Taliban. Trudeau side-stepped the remark, saying: "I can't imagine, the despair, the anguish that so many individuals are facing ... this is a horrific situation." Canada withdrew the bulk of its troops from Afghanistan in 2011, but participated in a NATO mission to train the Afghan military until 2014 and continued to have diplomats and aid workers on the ground. WATCH | "Canada's poor initial response in Kabul points to an extreme of centralized political micro-management," said Andrew Leslie, a retired Canadian general and former head of the army who was a Liberal member of parliament from 2015 to 2019. Adding to the awkwardness for Trudeau is the fact that his main rival, Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole, is a decorated former Air Force helicopter navigator who served for 13 years. "The situation on the ground is heartbreaking ... Mr. Trudeau has abandoned people there," O'Toole told reporters on Wednesday, stressing his military experience. "(Trudeau) has had years to make sure that people who were at risk because they had served Canada are taken out of the country ... he put his political interests ahead of a crisis there." The Globe and Mail, a national newspaper, said in an editorial on Thursday that "Canada's plan to get marked men and women through a fast-closing door was designed as if there was all the time in the world." A suspected suicide bomb exploded outside Kabul's airport on Thursday, killing at least 13 people, a Taliban official said. The Pentagon said there were at least two explosions near the airport, with civilians and U.S. service members among the casualties. Domestic concerns Trudeau aides say they do not fear much damage from the chaos in Afghanistan ahead of the election, given voters are likely to be focused on domestic matters. Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, said that expectation may be valid. "Unless I see Canadian casualties or Canadians being held hostage, I just don't see this figuring," he said. During the 2015 election campaign, the former Conservative government's campaign was thrown off track by its response to a photograph of the body of a three-year-old Syrian boy who drowned after a boat capsized as his family sought to reach Greece and ultimately Canada. In opposition at the time, Trudeau said Canada must do much more and said a Liberal government would accept 25,000 Syrian refugees. He went on to win a majority government in the election. Trudeau's Liberals lost their majority in 2019 and have governed since then with the support of opposition parties. In recent days, Trudeau, who attended a virtual G7 meeting on Afghanistan on Tuesday from a hotel in the Canadian province of Ontario, has rejected any suggestions of bungling, noting the speed of the Taliban's moves caught most observers by surprise. "Canadians across the country are thinking about, yes, Afghanistan, but they're also thinking about how they're going to get through this pandemic," Trudeau said this week.

'Their blood will be on your hands': Kabul's chaos hit Canadian PM's campaign

Canada's ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery.

The Liberals said they would hike the rate to 18 per cent&nbsp;from 15 per cent&nbsp;on all earnings over C$1 billion ($793 million) and vowed to establish a special dividend, so that those same institutions contribute more. The measures are expected to generate C$2.5 billion per year over four years, starting in 2022/23.

Polls show the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have a slender lead over their Conservative rivals ahead of the September&nbsp;20 election.

"Given that our banks have posted extraordinarily large profits, have continued to be incredibly successful, including through a pandemic ... we're going to ask them to do a little bit more," Trudeau told a campaign event in British Columbia on the same day that two banks reported big profits.

British Columbia is an influential province, accounting for 42 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons. Polls indicate the Liberals face a fight there from the opposition New Democrats, who also appeal to center-left voters.

The Canadian Bankers Association criticized the news, saying that "singling out specific economic sectors for special taxation is a proven detriment to economic growth".

The Canadian banks index slipped just 0.6 per cent&nbsp;after the announcement, compared with little change in the Toronto stock benchmark, but still ended the day up 0.5 per cent&nbsp;from Tuesday's close.

Maria Khoury, senior vice president for North American financial institutions' credit ratings at DBRS Morningstar, said

the muted reaction in part reflected skepticism over campaign promises and the broad expectation that some tax increases were inevitable following the flood of government support.

Large banks include Royal Bank of&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;(RBC), Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Bank of Montreal (BMO) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. RBC beat analysts' expectations for third-quarter profit on Wednesday after Scotiabank and BMO did the same on Tuesday. Large insurers include Manulife Financial, Sun Life Financial, Intact Financial and Great-West Lifeco.

Canada's ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery.

Canada's ruling Liberal Party said on Wednesday that if re-elected it would raise corporate taxes on the most profitable banks and insurers to help pay for the cost of the COVID-19 recovery. The Liberals said they would hike the rate to 18 per cent from 15 per cent on all earnings over C$1 billion ($793 million) and vowed to establish a special dividend, so that those same institutions contribute more. The measures are expected to generate C$2.5 billion per year over four years, starting in 2022/23. Polls show the Liberals, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have a slender lead over their Conservative rivals ahead of the September 20 election. "Given that our banks have posted extraordinarily large profits, have continued to be incredibly successful, including through a pandemic ... we're going to ask them to do a little bit more," Trudeau told a campaign event in British Columbia on the same day that two banks reported big profits. British Columbia is an influential province, accounting for 42 of the 338 seats in the House of Commons. Polls indicate the Liberals face a fight there from the opposition New Democrats, who also appeal to center-left voters. The Canadian Bankers Association criticized the news, saying that "singling out specific economic sectors for special taxation is a proven detriment to economic growth". The Canadian banks index slipped just 0.6 per cent after the announcement, compared with little change in the Toronto stock benchmark, but still ended the day up 0.5 per cent from Tuesday's close. Maria Khoury, senior vice president for North American financial institutions' credit ratings at DBRS Morningstar, said the muted reaction in part reflected skepticism over campaign promises and the broad expectation that some tax increases were inevitable following the flood of government support. Large banks include Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Bank of Montreal (BMO) and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. RBC beat analysts' expectations for third-quarter profit on Wednesday after Scotiabank and BMO did the same on Tuesday. Large insurers include Manulife Financial, Sun Life Financial, Intact Financial and Great-West Lifeco.

Canada's ruling Liberals vow higher taxes on big bank profits to help fund COVID-19 recovery

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