Canadians can expect a federal election on Sept. 20: sources

Voters can expect to head to the polls for a federal election onSept. 20.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isplanning to visit Rideau Hall on Sunday to ask that Parliament be dissolved, said sources with knowledge of his plans who spoke to CBC News on the condition they not be named.

The sources said the prime minister is then expected to announce a 36-day campaign the minimum campaign length permitted bylaw meaning voting day would be Monday, Sept. 20.

News of the pending electioncall has been reported alreadyby Reuters and La Presse.

Dissolution of Parliamentis not automatic and Gov.Gen.Mary Simon could say no although that would be a rare move out of line with parliamentarytradition.

WATCH | Canada can expect a federal election on Sept. 20, sources say:

Federal election expected Sept. 20, sources say

3 years ago

Duration 3:55

Canadians are expected to go to the polls on Sept. 20, according to sources who tell CBC News that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit the Governor General on Sunday. The campaigns and voting will be changed and complicated by the pandemic.

Earlier this summer,NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh wrote to Simon asking her to deny any such request from the prime minister. Singhargued that Trudeau's government has not lost the confidence of the House and said the NDPwouldsupport the government in the Commons in order to avoid holdingan election during the pandemic.

Trudeau, meanwhile, has accused theopposition parties of stalling legislation in the Houseand has described Parliament as a place of "toxicity" and "obstructionism."

COVID-19concerns

Earlier today, while unveiling his own campaign promises, Singh said an early electioncall would be "selfish."

"While Justin Trudeau wants to act like it's over ...it's not over and people are still worried," he said from St. John's this morning.

"If Justin Trudeau was listening to people and their concerns and their worries, he would not be holding a selfish summer election."

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole also criticized the idea of calling afederal election during a fourth wave of the pandemicbut said he's ready to take on the Liberals.

"Justin Trudeau's planning an election in the middle of a pandemic because he's focused on politics," he tweeted."It's time we had a prime minister planning an economic recovery focused on Canadians. We're ready."

"My biggest concern right now is the potential fourth wave of COVID-19," O'Toole said earlier this week. "We shouldn't be rushing to an election. Mr. Trudeau always seems to put his own self-interest ahead of the interest of Canadians."

The pandemic likely will have an impact on campaign plans forboth leadersand localcandidates, which are usually built around large rallies and door-knocking.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, has said she's confident voting can be done safely due to a combination of health protocols and Canada's high rate of vaccination.

Liberals leading in polls - but nothing certain

Trudeau can expect to be asked more than once during the campaignwhy he's pulling the plug now.The polls make it pretty clear why he's taking the country to the polls early.

According to CBC's Poll Tracker,polls have consistently showed the Liberalsleading possibly withenough support to turn their minority government intoa majority.

• Have an election question for CBC News? Email us:Ask@cbc.ca. Your input helps inform our coverage.

As of Thursday, the Liberals hold155seats in the House of Commons, the Conservatives have 119, the Bloc has32, the NDP holds 24 and the Greens have two seats.Five members sit as Independents and one seat is vacant.

Results could be delayed

The country's chief electoral officer, StephanePerrault,said the final outcome of a pandemic election could take a few days to report due to an anticipated increase in mail-in ballots.

Elections Canada said it expects asmany as five million mail-in votes this time around, compared to fewer than 50,000 in the 2019 election.

Perrault said mail-in ballots will not be counted until the day after the election.