U.S. Embassy lists four Canadian actions as midterm interference

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet on Wednesday detailing four specific Canadian actions that officials believe constitute potential interference in the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. The document follows repeated warnings from American diplomats urging Canada to keep its distance from the upcoming vote.

The embassy’s release points to Liberal Member of Parliament Anthony Housefather canvassing for a Florida Democrat during a primary earlier this year. It also cites comments made by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly regarding Canada’s counter-tariff strategy, with some remarks dating back to March 2025 when she held the foreign affairs portfolio. The list includes the Ontario government’s Ronald Reagan advertisement that aired in the U.S. last year and a federal billboard campaign from early 2025.

Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the premise of the report during a news conference in Istanbul on Friday. He stated there is no merit to the claims and expressed disappointment that the U.S. envoy considers making such suggestions to be part of his role. Carney specifically referenced Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, who had previously warned against Canadian involvement alongside Trump adviser Peter Navarro.

The timing of the embassy’s report highlights a contrasting approach by the U.S. executive branch. Since returning to the White House in early 2025, President Trump has endorsed candidates in at least six foreign countries. These include presidential or prime ministerial races in Poland, Honduras, Colombia, and Japan. He recently voiced support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday’s election and backed Viktor Orbán’s failed bid in Hungary. In 2025, Trump also suggested that financial support for Argentina would depend on the election results for President Javier Milei’s party.

Trump acknowledged his unconventional role during the February inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace. He noted that he is not supposed to be endorsing people, but added that as long as it works, it is acceptable to him. This public weighing in contrasts with the standard diplomatic norm where heads of state avoid overt campaigning for one side of a foreign election to preserve flexibility in future business dealings.

Daniel Drezner, a professor of international politics at Tufts University, described the situation as the pot calling the kettle black. He told CBC News that the administration has a long track record of intervening directly in the elections of official allies. Drezner characterized the embassy’s cited examples, such as Joly meeting with American politicians, as garden variety diplomacy, though he admitted Housefather’s canvassing might be slightly unusual.

Former U.S. ambassador to Canada James Blanchard offered a sharper assessment in an interview with Rosemary Barton Live airing on Sunday. He said the current administration lacks credibility given Trump’s list of endorsements. Blanchard noted that he would take the accusation seriously if it came from the Reagan, Bush, Obama, or Clinton administrations, but not from the current one.

The U.S. Embassy declined to comment when asked if a Canadian official offering a similar endorsement to a midterm candidate would amount to interference. Meanwhile, the trade dispute remains a central issue in Republican campaigns in border states. Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she secured exemptions to tariffs and continued working with administration officials for additional relief. In Michigan, Senate candidate Mike Rogers released an ad criticizing the tariff war, stating that Canada is not an enemy.

U.S. officials also showed interest in the recent Alberta referendum. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called Alberta a natural partner for the U.S. in January while discussing the possibility of separation. The Globe and Mail reported that Republican operatives were on the ground in Alberta earlier this year to assist the separatist campaign. Carney said on Friday that he does not see the administration blaming Canada for poor midterm results and imposing more tariffs.