The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced that federal elections would be held on September 20, 2021, after he dissolved the parliament on Sunday. The snap election will take place less than two years after the Liberal party gained power in 2019. The election campaign will likely be for 36 days (the legal minimum).
While announcing the elections, Justin Trudeau
said that Canadians deserve to have an opinion about how the fight against
COVID-19 should be finished, and what steps should be taken to build back the
currently shattered Canadian economy.
Source-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_history_of_Justin_Trudeau#/media/File:Trudeau_visit_White_House_for_USMCA_(cropped).jpg
Opposition leaders criticized Justin Trudeau’s
decision by saying that he gave more importance to gaining a majority in the
parliament than the health and safety of Canadians. The opposition leaders also
criticized the timings of the elections by highlighting that the time for
elections is not right as the fourth wave of the COVID-19 disease is spreading
all over the country.
Governor-General Mary Simon had agreed to
Justin Trudeau’s request to dissolve parliament. Addressing the people of
Canada shortly after dissolving the parliament, Justin Trudeau said that Canada
is at a crucial moment and highlighted that it was most important since 1945
and mentioned that Canadians need to decide how they want to proceed.
Justin Trudeau stated, “The decisions your
government makes right now will define the future your kids and grandkids will
grow up in. So, in this pivotal, consequential moment, who wouldn’t want a say?
Who wouldn’t want their chance to help decide where our country goes from
here?”
Challenging the opposition leaders, Justin
Trudeau also asked why they don’t think that the people of Canada deserve a
say.
Opposition leaders highlighted that there was
no need for dissolving the parliament as the Liberals have been doing whatever
they want in the recent past, be it passing pandemic relief bills, getting the budget passed, and surviving the confidence vote.
Conservation Leader Erin O’Toole stated, “A
leader who cared about the best interests of Canadians would be straining every
sinew to secure the recovery right now. Instead, Justin Trudeau has called an
election.” He also added that Canadians “deserve to know what their politicians
will deliver, they deserve to know that there’s a plan, and they deserve a
government that will keep its word.”
Jagmeet Singh, the NDP leader, launched his
campaign in Montreal and also criticized Justin Trudeau. He called the election
announced by the PM a selfish summer election. He also took credit for ensuring
more generous emergency programs by stating, “It was New Democrats that
delivered the help that people needed. Everyone across Canada benefited from
New Democrats being in Ottawa, and I say to folks imagine how much more we
could do with more New Democrats elected.”
When Justin Trudeau dissolved the parliament,
the Conservatives had 119 seats, the Liberals had 155, the NDP had 24, the Bloc
Québécois had 32, and the Greens just had two. There was also one vacancy and
five independent candidates. To know more about the upcoming elections, click here.
Source:
https://www.trailtimes.ca/news/trudeau-says-canadians-deserve-a-say-at-pivotal-moment-triggers-sept-20-election/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter