Justin Trudeau said the 2019 Canadian election will be a contrast between his Liberal Party's push for a cleaner environment and fighting inequality, and Conservatives who'll attempt to exploit divisions created by a global wave of populism.

The prime minister made the remarks late Sunday afternoon in his home district in Montreal, turning attention back to campaign politics a few days after he rejected the idea of calling an early election. Trudeau's Liberals have lost their earlier lead in public opinion polling, and are now essentially tied with the Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer.

Trudeau said Scheer hasn't moved the Conservatives beyond ideas voters rejected in the last election, when they were led by Stephen Harper, and would seek to divide voters over issues such as immigration and tax relief for lower-income families. Flanked by his wife and supporters holding red "2019" signs, Trudeau said the Conservatives "cherry pick" facts to sow negative views among voters, a trend Canada must resist.