OTTAWA: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Sunday called general elections for October 19, kicking off a campaign for a fourth straight term in power amid a sluggish economy.
Harper, in power since 2006, dissolved parliament after meeting with Governor General David Johnston, the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's nominal head of state in this Commonwealth country.
Voters will be choosing all 338 members of the House of Commons, 30 more than in the last election because of redistricting.
Polls suggested the race will be tight.
Harper said the election was about "leadership on the big issues that affect us all, our economy and our nation's security."
"It's an election about who will protect our economy in instability and ensure Canada's future prosperity. The national election is not a popularity contest," he added.
The economy is expected to be declared officially in recession in September when second quarter GDP figures are released. But Central Bank governor Stephen Poloz already said this month the economy was in fact in recession.
The Bank of Canada last month slashed rates for the second time this year to revive an economy badly hit by lower global oil prices.
Harper had planned to present himself as one of the first G7 leaders to post a balanced budget since the global financial crisis, bolstering his image as a strong fiscal manager.
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