Canada’s 43rd federal election campaign officially begins
“Whoever you are, you deserve a real plan for your future,” said Liberal leader Justin Trudeau as he opened the election campaign in Ottawa at Rideau Hall on Wednesday, and all the party leaders were across the country to start the 40-day campaign.
As the Liberals try to put past scandals, namely the SNC-Lavalin controversy behind them with their slogan, “Choose Forward,” Trudeau promises to put an emphasis on bringing children out of poverty and creating jobs in his first campaign speech.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer started his first general election campaign as leader, and he’s promising to lighten the economic burdens that Canadians face. Scheer promising to, “balance the budget, lower the taxes, and make life more affordable.”
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh brought a hopeful message to Canadians about “building the country of our dreams,” which includes healthcare and good jobs.
Green party leader Elizabeth May was recently ranked as the ‘most ethical leader’ in a poll conducted by Nanos research for The Globe and Mail. Aside from a focus on climate change, May’s party messages focus on human rights, childcare, and universal pharmacare.
Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada, although small will no doubt cause a lot of controversy during the campaign. Joining Renata Ford in Toronto last night, Bernier said their party will place great emphasis on illegal immigration and balancing the budget. In a familiar echo, Bernier is also promising to put “Canadians first.”
Bloc Leader heralded by Yves-Francois Blanchet spoke in Quebec City encouraging Quebecers to imagine where they want to go, “not as a province, but as a nation.”
While the typical issues of healthcare, economy, environment, and immigration will lead on the campaign trails, religious freedom will also become a part of this election. When asked if they will intervene in Quebec’s Bill 21 banning religious symbols for public sector employees in positions authority, Trudeau and Scheer said they would not intervene.
Voters are set to head to the polls on October 21st, 2019.
