Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dropped the election writ in Ottawa this morning, officially launching the federal election campaign.

Trudeau met with Governor General Julie Payette at Rideau Hall and fielded questions from reporters afterwards.

The latest polls show the Trudeau Liberals neck and neck with the Conservatives followed by the NDP, Greens and People’s Party of Canada.

Election Call on 9/11 Raises a Few Eyebrows Across Country

While many are spending today reflecting on the September 11 attacks and all that came after, others are gearing up to hit the campaign trail.

The choice to drop the writ and begin the federal election season on such a solemn occasion has raised some eyebrows.

Both the Liberal and Conservative parties set today as the beginning of their official campaigns. Scheer launched his campaign earlier this morning. Pollster and political pundit Tim Powers says it’s an odd choice for both parties.

He says even Elizabeth May has noted that it’s a strange choice.

Originally it was actually Andrew Scheer who announced the Conservative campaign would start on 9/11, but the Liberals seem to have made the same call, a choice Powers calls unfortunate.