The US Embassy in Ottawa accused Canadian officials of election meddling ahead of the November midterms. A fact sheet released by the US Embassy on 21 October stated that Canadian ministers and premiers openly describe plans to influence American politics in public appearances and official documents.
The US Embassy cited calls for retaliatory tariffs against the United States and meetings with US Democrats as evidence of such interference. Ontario Premier Doug Ford pushed the Canadian federal government to consider retaliatory tariffs on imports from states that are politically significant to the current administration's base of support.
Ford stated, "I'll tell you what the American people want. They want certainty, they want stability," adding that the people of the United States will make that determination in the midterms. Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the claims and announced a nearly C$9bn ($6.2bn) aid package to respond to US tariffs.
Carney said, "We've responded to those to protect Canadian jobs, to protect Canadian companies and develop our economy," and noted the actions are in the interests of Canadian workers, Canadian families and the future of this economy. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly denied Canadian interference last week, stating her recent visits to the US were intended to attract investments from American companies.
Joly said, "That's exactly why I'm meeting so many governors and potential presidential candidates," and added she would never accept that also being done to us in Canada. The US Embassy noted that Canadian leaders brushed off concerns over potential interference.
Earlier this month, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra warned that US officials are closely watching Canada's politicians for signs of election interference. A petition calling for the removal of Pete Hoekstra has received more than 280,000 signatures.
Trump administration officials were accused of making inappropriate remarks about the separation referendum in Alberta this week.
