US Embassy accuses Canada of meddling ahead of midterm elections

The US Embassy in Ottawa has accused Canadian officials of meddling in American elections ahead of November’s midterm elections.

In a fact sheet released on Wednesday, the embassy said Canadian ministers and premiers had publicly described plans to influence US politics. It cited meetings with Democrats in the United States and calls for retaliatory tariffs.

Mark Carney and Doug Ford rejected the allegations. Carney was announcing an aid package worth nearly C$9bn in response to US tariffs.

Embassy’s allegations

The embassy cited Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s comments about meetings with governors and potential presidential candidates. It also said Ford had urged Canada’s federal government to consider additional tariffs on imports from states politically significant to the current US administration’s base.

Carney responded that the United States had initiated the trade actions. He said Canada’s measures were intended to protect Canadian jobs and companies.

Ford said he had no interest in interfering in US elections and would focus on Ontario and Canada. He added that American voters would determine the midterm result.

Washington and Ottawa have argued for months over tariffs, trade and the effects of Canada’s countermeasures. Joly denied interference last week, saying her US visits were aimed at attracting American investment.

Earlier this month, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said American officials were closely watching Canadian politicians for signs of interference. A petition calling for his removal over alleged damage to Canada-US diplomatic relations has received more than 280,000 signatures.

The midterms will determine which party controls both chambers of Congress, potentially affecting the remainder of Donald Trump’s presidency.