Canada election: Has Trudeau’s gamble backfired?

On Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 19:30 GMT:
The pressure is on for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as Canada prepares for upcoming federal elections. Enjoying high public approval for his pandemic control measures, Trudeau called for a snap election two years ahead of schedule.

But the move appears to have backfired, causing his popularity to plummet in the polls and the opposition Conservative Party to make gains. The results of the election will come at a critical time for Canada. This summer, extreme temperatures contributed to 500 deaths, raging wildfires and shriveled crops. One in five Canadians now say climate and the environment is now their top election issue.

Other top concerns include the economy and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some voters, whether candidates follow through with pledges to honor Indigenous reconciliation is also top of mind. This comes after the discovery of hundreds of Indigenous children’s bodies in unmarked graves at former residential school sites in Canada this year.

Critics say the Conservative Party’s leader Erin O’Toole offers less robust proposals for dealing with top issues such as the environment and the pandemic. But Trudeau detractors argue that he has failed to deliver on climate promises made over the past six years and doesn’t deserve a third term.

In this episode of The Stream we ask, will Trudeau survive Canada’s upcoming snap election? Join the conversation.

In this episode of The Stream we are joined by:
Melissa Ridgen
Host & Producer, APTN National News

Fatima Syed, @fatimabsyed
Host, The Backbench

George Affleck, @george_affleck
Political Columnist & Entrepreneur