Canadians will be going to the polls on Monday to decide whether to give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party a second term.
The parties have been making their pitches to voters over the past five weeks – and have not shied away from attacks on opponents.
Canada’s election takes place in 338 ridings or seats across the country, and preliminary results should be announced late Monday night. One hundred and seventy seats are needed to be able to form a majority government, and polls show no candidate is anywhere near that threshold.
After winning a historic, come-from-behind victory four years ago, Liberal leader Trudeau, 47, is seeking re-election.
He has kept a number of key promises – from legalising recreational cannabis to bringing in a means-tested child benefit programme – but he also failed to follow through on some major commitments.
A vow to overhaul of Canada’s electoral system was dropped and a pledge to balance the budget this year has been broken.
And while the Canadian public had a longer than usual political honeymoon with Mr Trudeau, he’s since lost some of his lustre.
Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has the best shot of unseating the prime minister – but the 40-year-old was a relative unknown after winning the party’s leadership vote by a whisker in 2017.
Polls indicate healthcare was the top election issue for many Canadians although the climate crisis is not far behind. Taxes, education and the legalization of cannabis are other issues Canadians are wanting to hear more about. The Conservative party is perceived to have a more aggressive stand on cutting taxes while many voters believe Scheer will do less than other leaders on climate.
