Canada opposition leader, under pressure, scraps vow to end assault-weapon ban

Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole speaks at an election campaign visit to Canada Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada September 5, 2021. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - The head of Canada's opposition Conservatives on Sunday scrapped a campaign promise to eliminate a ban on some assault weapons after Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused him of cozying up to the gun lobby.

Conservative leader Erin O'Toole has been under pressure from critics ahead of the Sept. 20 election because of his party's position on gun control, a sensitive issue in Canada, especially following crimes including a deadly 2020 shooting rampage in Nova Scotia.