Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the federal election last week. Election Day is Oct. 21, and the Liberals entered the campaign polling nearly evenly with the Conservative Party. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is relying on the same senior strategists to get re-elected who brought him from third place party leader in the House to the Prime Minister's Office in 2015. But it's a whole new ball game this time, after four years in power.
Weeks two and three of the campaign are typically spent in ridings that are 'on the cusp' of flipping in the party's favour, or where they need to defend seats. The 43rd election campaign runs for nearly six weeks, over a 40-day period.
The Canadian Press is looking to keep costs to a bare minimum, The Globe and Mail will be 'tactical' in their planning, and The Toronto Star will take a 'flexible' approach to covering the federal party leader tours.
'People are waiting, they’re more and more strategic about their vote as well, so we feel like that last weekend is becoming extremely important,' says Léger’s Christian Bourque.
The federal NDP campaign team is stocked with experienced organizers, including people who backed Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath in 2018 and B.C. Premier John Horgan in 2017.
Carl Pilotte is the Bloc Québécois’ campaign director, while France Amyot is director of communications and Christian Picard is director of organization.
The Conservatives want to roll back most of the Liberals' signature environmental policies, while the Liberals and NDP have promised more expansive health care coverage.