TORONTO – Still negative signals for Justin Trudeau in this first week of campaigning. The outcome of the vote in Nova Scotia and the new Abacus poll highlight elements that the Liberal leader should not underestimate in view of the appointment at the polls on September 20th. In the Atlantic province, the Conservative Pogressive led by prime ministerial candidate Tim Houston won the local elections, winning an absolute majority in the provincial assembly, almost doubling the number of deputies. The Liberal Party, which under Stephen McNeil first and prime ministerial candidate Iain Rankin then led the province during the Covid-19 pandemic, suffered a completely unexpected blow, winning just 17 seats.  (more…)