The US Embassy in Canada has accused Canadian officials of attempting to influence American politics ahead of November's midterm elections, according to a fact sheet published Wednesday.
The allegation was quickly rejected by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who both denied any intention of interfering in US elections.
The embassy document claims that Canadian ministers and provincial premiers "openly describe plans to influence American politics in official documents and public appearances."
It also asserts that Canadian officials have dismissed concerns about potential interference.
According to the fact sheet, the concerns arise from meetings between Canadian officials and US Democrats, as well as discussions about retaliatory tariffs targeting American states that are politically important to President Donald Trump's administration.
Specific Examples Cited
The embassy pointed to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, who was asked about potential tariff consequences if Democrats won the midterms.
The document quotes her response: "That's exactly why I'm meeting so many governors and potential presidential candidates."
It also referenced Ontario Premier Doug Ford's calls for additional Canadian tariffs on imports from "politically significant states to the current administration's base of support."
Carney addressed the allegations while announcing a nearly C$9 billion aid package, equivalent to $6.2 billion, in response to US tariffs.
He argued that Canada's measures were a response to trade actions initiated by Washington.
"We've responded to those to protect Canadian jobs, to protect Canadian companies and develop our economy," Carney said.
He defended the government's approach as necessary to safeguard the country's economic interests amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
Carney said the measures were "in the interests of Canadian workers, Canadian families and the future of this economy."
Ford also rejected the accusation, saying he had "no interest at all" in interfering in the American electoral process.
He emphasized the importance of predictability and stability in relations between the neighboring countries.
"I'll tell you what the American people want. They want certainty, they want stability," Ford said.
Ford added that the outcome of the election would be determined by American voters rather than Canadian officials.
"The people of the United States will make that determination in the midterms," he said.
Joly had also denied allegations of Canadian interference the previous week, according to CBC.
She explained that her recent trips to the United States were intended to encourage investment by American companies.
Joly said Canadians "never accept that also being done to us in Canada" when discussing interference in Canada's own affairs.
She described her US visits as efforts "to attract investments" and said she planned to continue them.
The dispute comes after months of tension over tariffs, trade restrictions and Canada's countermeasures against US policies.
The two countries have historically maintained extensive cross-border trade, making the economic disagreement a central issue in their bilateral relationship.
Earlier in October, US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra warned that American officials were "closely watching" Canadian politicians for indications of election interference.
Meanwhile, a petition demanding Hoekstra's removal has attracted more than 280,000 signatures.
The petition accuses him of "undermining the Canada-U. S.
diplomatic relations."
The November midterm elections will determine which political party controls both chambers of the US Congress, a result that could significantly affect the remainder of Trump's presidency.
