Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called a federal election in Canada and dissolved the parliament.

The Canadian prime minister met with Governor General Julie Payette, the acting head of state, who formally gave her blessing for the launch of a six-week federal election campaign.

Canadians will head to the polls on Oct 21, PM Trudeau said outside Ms Payette’s official residence in Ottawa.

We’ve done a lot this past four years, but the truth is we’re just getting started.

He said Canadians need to decide whether they want to go back to the failed policies of a conservative government that believes in cuts and austerity.

https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1171887322318692353

PM Trudeau is admired abroad for his progressive politics but has been damaged by scandals at home.

Opinion polls suggest the opposition Conservative party is running close behind PM Trudeau’s Liberals.

Not since 1935 has a government that won a majority of seats in parliament in its first term lost power in the next election in Canada.

PM Trudeau, who swept to office in November 2015 promising sunny ways and stressing the importance of gender equality, gay rights and the environment, faces an electorate more focused on the economy and affordability.

A Nanos Research poll released on Tuesday showed the Liberals at 34.6 percent and the Conservatives, led by Andrew Scheer, at 30.7 percent. That margin would not be enough to guarantee a majority of seats in the House of Commons, according to independent.

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