Why did critics oppose holding Canada’s 2021 election during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Critics opposed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to call a snap federal election in August 2021 primarily on the grounds of political opportunism and public safety concerns.

Many opposition figures and cynics characterized the move as a "thinly veiled" attempt by Trudeau to capitalize on favorable polling at the time to regain a parliamentary majority. Beyond the political motivations, opposition candidates, including Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, argued that holding an election during the pandemic was unnecessary and irresponsible. They accused the Prime Minister of endangering the lives of Canadians by forcing a general election while the Delta variant of the coronavirus was actively sweeping across the country.12

Ultimately, these concerns resonated with many voters, as the Liberals' lead in preference polling evaporated during the 36-day campaign, with many Canadians questioning the motivation behind the timing of the vote.12