Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau under fire during second electoral debate

The environment but also the triggering of elections in the midst of a pandemic: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was heckled Wednesday evening by his main political rivals during the second debate, less than two weeks before the poll.

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the green

" subsidized oil

“

We must work together against the pandemic.

Now is not the time for an election.

Why did you call an election in the midst of a pandemic?

“, Asked Conservative leader Erin O'Toole during this televised debate in French, with the leaders of the main parties.

"The chance for Canadians to choose"

Justin Trudeau defended his position to call an early election.

“

There are some pretty profound differences in our view of the pandemic.

These elections are the chance for Canadians to choose,

”he insisted.

Read also Justin Trudeau announces early elections in Canada

Ahead in the polls at the launch of the campaign, the Liberals are now ahead in most of the latest polls.

And Erin O'Toole is credited with around 34% of voting intentions compared to 31% for Justin Trudeau.

"

We cannot afford four more years of Mr. Trudeau,

" Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP, left) repeated several times regarding the Liberal leader's record on the environment, calling him "

Great talker but small maker

".

"

In six years, you have the worst record of the G7,

" he added, referring to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

"You do not have unanimity on Quebec!"

Justin Trudeau defended his record and affirmed that his party had the only “

ambitious and realistic

” program and denounced the

environmental

“

setback

” that, according to him, the return of the conservatives to power would represent.

At the end of the debate, he was virulent against his main rival, evoking the "

soft leadership

" of O'Toole.

Then during a pass of arms with Yves-François Blanchet, the leader of the Quebec bloc, he launched, visibly annoyed: "

I am a Quebecker, I am proud to be a Quebecker, you don't have the unanimity on Quebec!

You will not accuse me of not being a Quebecer

”.

The French-speaking province is a region that could prove to be decisive. The five leaders must meet on Thursday evening for the final debate, this time in English.