Canada PM Trudeau vows to crack down on hospital protests, says rival backs extremists

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a drive-in rally during his election campaign tour in Oakville, Ontario Canada September 12, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said if reelected he would ban people from protesting outside hospitals and accused his chief rival of supporting those who oppose COVID-19 vaccinations.

Recent polls show Trudeau's ruling Liberals have recovered from early setbacks and could eke out another minority government in the snap Sept. 20 election he called to gain approval for how he handled the pandemic.