Canadians go to the polls on 20 September in an election that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called two years early, seeking to turn public approval for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic into a fresh, four-year mandate.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why is there an election now?
Since 2019, Mr Trudeau has only commanded a minority in parliament, leaving him dependent on other parties to govern.
Mr Trudeau argues the pandemic has changed Canada like World War II did and Canadians should now choose who they want to make important decisions for decades to come.
Mr Trudeau has struggled to explain why an early election during a worsening fourth wave of COVID-19 was a good idea. Conservative leader Erin O'Toole consistently accuses him leader of putting Canadians in harm's way for personal ambition.
People also seem to be tiring of Mr Trudeau, who carries the baggage of having governed for six years.
Conservative leader Erin O'Toole and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau Source: The Canadian Press
What do the polls show?
After Mr Trudeau called the election, his hefty opinion poll lead vanished. Recent surveys point to a tight race in which he might retain power with another minority.
Steady Conservative gains during the first three weeks stopped as Mr Trudeau attacked Mr O'Toole for his opposition to vaccine mandates and his promise - now reversed - to legalise some assault weapons the Liberals had banned.
Mr O'Toole stepped up his attacks on Mr Trudeau on Monday, portraying him as a scandal-hit party-goer obsessed with keeping power at all costs.
Who are the other candidates?
While the election is seen as a two-horse race, leaders from Canada’s other main parties have been out campaigning for seats.
A potential kingmaker, the leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, has appealed to younger voters using social media platforms such as TikTok.
The former defence lawyer and human rights activist with Indian heritage has been running on a policy platform including an emissions reductions target of 50 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030, wiping out student loan debt, and making prescription drugs available to all Canadians.
Outside environmental issues, Green Party leader Annamie Paul has been speaking out about housing affordability, the rights of Indigenous fishermen, and China's treatment of Uighur Muslims.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh Source: AAP
The former human rights lawyer is the first black Canadian and first Jewish woman to be elected leader of a federal party in Canada.
Yves-François Blanchet - the leader of Bloc Québécois, a party devoted to Quebec nationalism and sovereignty - has been looking to build on the 32 seats won at the 2019 election with climate change, anti-domestic violence and tax justice policies.
Green leader Annamie Paul Source: AAP
What are the main issues?
The economy
To tackle the pandemic the Liberals ran up a record national debt of $1 trillion (CAD) and pushed budget deficits to highs not seen since World War Two. In the campaign they promised another $78 billion in new spending over five years.
Mr O'Toole says he will balance the books within a decade without making cuts.
Analysts say financial markets do not appear overly worried about the fiscal implications of either promise although the stocks of bank and insurance firm could suffer after Mr Trudeau promised a new windfall tax on their profits.
Vaccine mandates
The Liberal government has introduced COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
During the campaign, Mr Trudeau has been abused and heckled by people opposing the move and says his Conservative rival is taking his cues from the crowds.
Mr O'Toole opposes vaccine mandates, including for his own candidates, and says he prefers frequent testing.
Childcare
Employment of women has plummeted thanks to COVID-19.
The Liberals are promising to spend up to $30 billion (CAD) over five years to set up a long-promised $10 a day national childcare program.
The Conservatives say they will cancel those deals and instead offer tax credits of up to $6,000 a year to help pay for daycare.
Housing
Housing prices have soared about 70 per cent since Mr Trudeau took office.
He is promising to build, preserve, or repair 1.4 million homes over the next four years, among other measures.
The Conservatives would boost supply by building a million homes over three years and loosening some mortgage requirements.
Climate change
Forest fires in western Canada and a drought in crop-growing areas are focusing attention on climate change.
The Liberals promise more aggressive emissions cuts than the Conservatives, who are major advocates of the oil and gas industry.
With Biwa Kwan.
