Canada's Trudeau, trailing in polls, defends early election call

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference after the last of three two-hour debates ahead of the September 20 election, at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada September 9, 2021. REUTERS/Blair Gable

HAMILTON, Ontario (Reuters) -Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing possible defeat in a snap Sept. 20 election, on Friday defended his decision to call the election early and said his main rival would undermine the fight against COVID-19.

Trudeau, who heads a minority Liberal government that needs opposition support to pass legislation, had hoped Canadians would reward his handling of the coronavirus pandemic with a majority in the House of Commons.