OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has asked Governor General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament, touching off an 11-week campaign in advance of an election Oct. 19.

Harper made the announcement today outside Rideau Hall, square in the middle of the August holiday weekend, ending months of speculation and conjecture about when the campaign would begin.

Harper will get the Conservative campaign underway at a rally later today in Montreal; Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is in Vancouver to attend that city’s Pride parade.

New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair was scheduled to make a statement following Harper’s visit to Rideau Hall.

Harper is scheduled to attend a Conservative rally in Montreal later today.

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