The US embassy accused Canadian politicians of trying to influence US midterms. Canadian leaders rejected or sidestepped it.
The U.S. embassy in Canada has accused Canadian politicians of trying to influence American midterm elections, citing Canada’s pushback against President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Canadian officials have rejected or sidestepped the accusation.
In a fact sheet released Wednesday, the embassy said the Canadian government brushes off concerns about potential interference, even as its ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics. It quoted Industry Minister Melanie Joly five times. They included an August comment about targeting products that affect U.S. states in order to put political pressure on Washington, and her September meetings with Democratic officials in Boston and Chicago. Asked what might happen with tariffs if Democrats win the Nov. 3 midterms, she said that was exactly why she is meeting governors and potential presidential candidates. The embassy also cited Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s calls for retaliation and his government’s advertising campaign against Trump’s tariffs. It also cited Liberal MP Anthony Housefather’s statement that he campaigned in Florida for Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz before her August primary. The fact sheet named 11 Canadians who had been charged or sentenced for voting in U.S. elections between 2012 and 2024. It did not present evidence linking them to a Canadian government effort. The embassy’s statement said all Canadians should refrain from attempting to participate in or influence U.S. elections, adding that Americans decide America’s elections. It did not explain how the Canadian officials’ efforts on trade amounted to interference, Al Jazeera reported.
Joly has rejected the suggestion, saying Canada would never meddle in U.S. elections. She has said her meetings with Democrats and Republicans were aimed at attracting investment. Prime Minister Mark Carney did not directly address the accusations at a news conference Wednesday. He pointed out that the United States initiated the trade actions against Canada and said everything Canada has done since has been in the interests of Canadian workers and families, The Canadian Press reported. Ford said he has no interest in interfering in American elections.
The fact sheet came a week after U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said Washington was monitoring Canada for signs of interference and would respond if any of it became election interference. The two countries have been locked in a trade war since Trump began his second term, and Trump has repeatedly threatened to make Canada the 51st state. There have also been reports that Alberta separatist leaders sought support from Trump administration officials before a failed referendum on independence this week. Carney said before the vote that Canada expects foreign governments, the United States included, to stay out of each other’s elections.
Information for this report was provided by Al Jazeera and The Canadian Press via CP24.