Justin Trudeau criticised at debate for calling Canada election during pandemic

From left to right, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, Green leader Annammie Paul, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchet stand at their podiums before the federal election French-language leaders debate, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, in Gatineau, Quebec (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press/AP)

The leaders of Canada’s opposition parties criticised prime minister Justin Trudeau for calling parliamentary elections during a pandemic, speaking during their second debate of the campaign.

Mr Trudeau called the vote last month hoping to win a majority of seats in Parliament, but polls indicate his Liberal party could lose power to the Conservatives in the September 20 election.