Expert: Canada headed for a federal election on Sept. 20

Following a meeting with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau this morning, Governor General Mary Simon approved his request to dissolve Parliament, triggering the issuing of the election writs and formally beginning Canada's 44th federal election. The campaign will last 36 days — the minimum campaign length permitted by law. (CBC News)

Here is an expert from McGill University that can provide comment on this issue:

Daniel Béland, James McGill Professor, Department of Political Science and Director, McGill Institute for the Study of Canada

“It is accurate to describe Justin Trudeau’s move to trigger summer elections amidst the fourth wave of a global pandemic as “a gamble”. The COVID-19 pandemic will play a central role during this federal campaign, but it remains unclear whether the evolution of the public health situation on the ground, including the on-going vaccination process and the debate about it, will shape electoral outcomes.”

Daniel Béland is the Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada and a James McGill Professor in the Department of Political Science. He specializes in the fields of Canadian and comparative politics, as well as the study of public policy, including social policy.

daniel.beland [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)