WASHINGTON, October 22 (Aalimi Nation) – The United States embassy in Canada has accused Canadian politicians of trying to influence the American midterm elections, a charge Canadian leaders have rejected. The embassy released a fact sheet on Wednesday, less than two weeks before voters go to the polls on November 3.
The document cited public statements by Canadian officials on tariffs, political meetings in the United States and an anti-tariff advertising campaign as evidence of efforts to shape American politics. The embassy said in a statement: "All Canadians should refrain from attempting to participate in or influence U.S. elections in any way." It added: "Americans decide America's elections."
Who is named in the US election interference claim
The fact sheet quotes Industry Minister Mélanie Joly several times. In August, she said Canada was "targeting products that will target states in the US", a remark the embassy presented as an attempt at political pressure. The document also referred to her September meetings with Democratic officials in Boston and Chicago. Asked then what might happen to tariffs if Democrats won, she replied: "That's exactly why I'm meeting so many governors and potential presidential candidates."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was cited for calling for retaliatory measures against American products and for his government's advertisement, launched in 2025, which used clips of Ronald Reagan criticising tariffs in a 1987 radio address. President Donald Trump called off trade talks with Canada in October 2025 after that advertisement aired during the World Series.
The fact sheet also lists 11 individuals charged or sentenced for illegally voting in American elections between 2012 and 2024. Reports on the document noted that it presented no evidence linking those cases to any Canadian government effort.
Canada rejects the interference claim
Ms Joly has said Canada would never interfere in another country's elections and would "never accept that also being done to us in Canada". She said her meetings with Democrats and Republicans were meant to attract investment. Mr Ford said he has "no interest at all" in interfering, adding that he spent 20 years in the United States and "loves the American people".
Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters on Parliament Hill that the United States began the trade actions. "All of our actions are in the interests of Canadian workers, Canadian families and the future of this economy," he said, after announcing a $9 billion aid package for sectors affected by American tariffs. In a separate interview, he said: "we don't get ourselves involved in their elections, they don't get themselves involved in our elections."
Background
The two countries have been in a trade dispute since Mr Trump's second term began in 2025, with Canada answering American tariffs with duties of its own. About a week before the fact sheet, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a podcast interview that American officials were "monitoring" and "evaluating" the conduct of Canadian politicians, and that the United States would respond if any of it became election interference.
What happens next
The midterms on November 3 could decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress. Canada's Prime Minister's Office, Global Affairs Canada and the offices of Mr Ford and Ms Joly had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
