Ottawa

Philippe J. Fournier: In their final federal polls of the 2019 campaign, Canada’s pollsters did very well. The miss was largely in underestimating the Conservatives.

Andrew MacDougall: The PM calls it the most important election since 1945. So it seems odd to bunt instead of swing for the fences on Day One or Two of the campaign.

Paul Wells: The Conservative leader dropped a brick of a platform document in an attempt to answer every question anyone will ever have about him and his party

The Maclean’s politics team reports on the latest from the federal election campaign trail. Check back frequently for commentary and updates in the lead-up to the fall election.

Maclean’s election-modelling wizard, Philippe J. Fournier, discusses the parties’ best- and worst-case scenarios, and answers the big questions at the start of the campaign

Stephen Maher: This election might not be necessary, but we’re about to learn a lot about the leaders, their parties and the changes taking hold of the country

The prospect of a vote sure lit a fire under the Trudeau government’s behind. Maybe we should have one every three months.

Scott Gilmore: Trudeau went to Rideau Hall because he wants to be Prime Minister a little longer. If he wanted to really do something, he would have been in a crisis ops room.

Justin Ling: The PM often says there’s ’always more to do’, but after six years in power it’s worth asking why—and what work has really gotten done at all?

Philippe J. Fournier: A majority is within reach for the Liberals, but the NDP’s current level of support could yet throw a wrench into their plans