Canada's Trudeau sought an election he risks losing with only a week to go

FILE PHOTO: Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during his election campaign tour in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada September 13, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had hoped to secure a majority in parliament when he called a snap election, but a lackluster campaign and public anger over a vote during a pandemic are putting his chances of victory at risk.

Trudeau, in power since 2015, decided to gamble on an early vote and capitalize on his government's handling of the pandemic, which included massive spending to support individuals and businesses and high vaccination rates.