Welcome to the #Election44 Saturday round up, where we take stock of this week's news on Canada's 44th federal election. Before we jump into the round up, here is a look at what happened on the campaign trail on Friday.

Three Federal Leaders Continue to Push Ballot Question

As Canada's 44th federal election enters its final weekend, the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP focused on shaping the ballot question. While all three leaders agree that Canadians have a "clear choice," in this election, the framing of that choice differs among those three candidates for Prime Minister.

New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh said this week that while the Liberals say good things during elections, they inevitably fail to deliver for Canadians. Singh stated that Canadians have a choice between more Liberal inaction on progressive issues, like fighting climate change and implementing universal pharmacare, or the NDP, who will fight for Canadians.

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole said that Canadians have a choice between more debt and more scandal under the Liberals, or implementing 'Canada's Recovery Plan' under the Conservatives. O'Toole also aimed to consolidate voters behind the Conservatives on Friday, stating that if people vote for any party other than the Conservatives, it is a vote for the Liberals.

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau said this week that Canadians have a choice between moving forward on things like mandatory vaccines, climate change and child care, or 'taking Canada back' under the Conservatives.

Blanchet Calls on the Federal Government to Suspend Funding of Muskrat Falls

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet was in Saint-Étienne-des-Grès, Quebec, on Friday, calling for the federal government to repay Quebec for its contributions to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project, and to suspend further funding. According to the Bloc Québécois's background material, the party is proposing to suspend GST payments on Hydro-Québec bills for Quebec households until Quebec's share of the investment in Muskrat Falls is reimbursed. The Bloc Québécois is also calling for the additional $3.2 billion in subsidies announced for the project this summer to be suspended.

Green Party Highlights Call for the Decriminalization of Simple Possession of Opioids

The Green Party of Canada highlighted its call to decriminalize the possession of drugs for personal use on Friday. The Green Party platform calls for the opioid crisis to be "treated as a health-care issue rather than a criminal one," and pledges to ensure Canadians have access to a safe, "public supply of drugs of choice." Green Party leader Annamie Paul has stated that as long as drug use remains a criminal issue, it will prevent people from seeking help.

Abacus Has the Liberals Ahead Going Into the Final Weekend of Campaigning

A new poll by Abacus Data shows the Liberals 'opening up' a lead over the Conservatives. The new poll, conducted from September 14 to 16, has the Liberals winning 34% of the national vote; the Conservatives 30%, the NDP 21%, and the People's Party of Canada 5%. According to the poll, the Liberals are leading the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, 38% to 25%, with a margin of error of +/- 5.2.

The Round Up: Campaign News From Earlier This Week

#Election44 Daily Update – Friday, September 17, 2021

  • O'Toole asks if Canada's allies trust Justin Trudeau
  • Green Party highlights Guaranteed Livable Income policy
  • Blanchet calls on the federal government to secure an exemption from the Buy America Act
  • Singh discusses Canada's housing crisis
  • Trudeau continues to focus on vaccines and the pandemic
  • AI company Advanced Symbolics has the Liberals ahead on seat count

#Election44 Daily Update – Thursday, September 16, 2021

  • Federal leaders sharpen their final pitch to voters
  • Blanchet calls on Trudeau and Singh to join the Bloc Québécois in passing Bill C-10
  • Ipsos has the Liberals and Conservatives tied

#Election44 Daily Update – Wednesday, September 15, 2021

  • Singh pledges to take on 'Big Telecom'
  • Blanchet outlines plan for Quebec's fishing industry
  • Paul continues to emphasize the need for a culture change in Ottawa
  • Trudeau emphasizes his climate plan
  • O'Toole says this election is about trust
  • Leger poll has Liberals and Conservatives tied

#Election44 Daily Update – Tuesday, September 14, 2021

  • Blanchet calls for a transparent and impartial process to appoint federal judges
  • Trudeau pledges to introduce legislation to protect health workers
  • O'Toole criticizes Trudeau for calling an election and outlines his plan to support new parents
  • Singh calls for more zeal when it comes to taking on big issues
  • Paul argues that voting green makes a difference
  • Liberals and Conservatives tied nationally, according to Abacus

#Election44 Daily Update – Monday, September 13, 2021

  • Green Party highlights its foreign policy
  • Singh pledges to crack down on tax evasion
  • Blanchet pledges to restore image of Quebec around the world
  • Trudeau reaches out to middle class Canadians and Quebec voters
  • O'Toole announces plan to support grieving parents
  • Liberals jump ahead in Nanos poll

#Election44 Daily Update – Sunday, September 12, 2021

  • #Election44 takes a closer look at the frequently discussed topic of affordability in telecommunications services

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