A tricky balancing act for Carney ahead of electionspublished at 19:27 British Summer Time
Faisal Islam
Economics editor
I’ve been up in the skies over Canada on the PM’s plane, and more details are emerging.
Overnight, the PM was briefed immediately on the Vancouver attack with the Minister of Public Safety and NSIA. Carney’s team was in touch with the Premier’s Office, Mayor’s Office, and other local authorities.
Large rallies with thousands of supporters registered in Calgary and in Richmond, British Columbia, have been cancelled “to reflect an appropriately respectful approach and tone as the day proceeds”, according to a Liberal Party source.
Smaller community-focussed engagements in Saskatoon and Edmonton are proceeding.
Sources said there was a “continued conversation with Vancouver and BC authorities” about heading to the city.
This is an obvious tricky balancing act, and Mr Carney may have some recollection of observing similar situations during UK polls, such as the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 and the killing of MP Jo Cox in 2016.
The Opposition Leader Pierre Polievre continued campaigning this morning. The final day of an election campaign is incredibly important especially to make a last argument to undecided voters, and to ensure turnout.
Campaigns now wait until the last 24 hours to deploy the vast bulk of their crucial digital advertising spend too.
