Vote begins in pandemic election that could cost Trudeau

TORONTO — Canadians voted Monday in a tight pandemic election that could weaken Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or reward his government’s handling of the pandemic.

Trudeau gambled on an early election, trying to capitalize on Canada’s position as among the most fully vaccinated countries in the world. But the opposition has been relentless in accusing Trudeau of calling an unnecessary early vote — two years before the deadline — for his own personal ambition.

Polls indicate Trudeau’s Liberal Party is in a neckand-neck race with the rival Conservatives. The Liberals will likely win the most seats in Parliament, but still fail to get a majority, forcing it to rely on an opposition party to pass legislation. And an extremely close outcome could raise questions about Trudeau’s judgment and whether he should continue to lead the party long-term. A majority win would cement his legacy and leave him in power for another four years.

Trudeau entered the election leading a stable minority government that wasn’t under threat of being toppled. Polls showed before the campaign began last month that he would win a majority government.

But a combination of high expectations, scandal and calling the vote during the pandemic have hurt the brand of the 49-year-old prime minister, who channeled the star power of his father, the Liberal icon and late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, when he first won election in 2015.

Still, Trudeau is betting Canadians don’t want a Conservative government during a pandemic. Trudeau’s government spent hundreds of billions of dollars to prop up the economy amid lockdowns. He argues that the Conservatives’ approach would be dangerous.