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The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa says the federal government is brushing off concerns about “potential interference in U.S. elections” after Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted that Canada is not getting involved in the American midterms.
U.S. officials have in recent weeks warned against what they describe as potential Canadian interference ahead of their Nov. 3 midterm elections.
In a release on Wednesday, the embassy suggested that the “Canadian government brushes off” the Trump administration’s concerns. The release lists a number of statements by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and other officials as examples of attempts to influence the midterms.
Both Carney and Ford were asked about the embassy’s statement during a news conference on Wednesday. Both denied that they’re trying to sway the vote south of the border.
“The United States initiated a series of trade actions. We’ve responded to those to protect Canadian jobs, to protect Canadian companies and develop our economy,” Carney said.
“All of our actions are in the interest of Canadian workers, Canadian families and the future of this economy.”
WATCH | Carney, Ford respond to election interference claims:
Carney, Ford respond to Trump administration’s election interference claims
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford responded to a fact sheet sent out by the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday claiming Canadian politicians have plans to influence American politics. ‘All of our actions are in the interest of Canadian workers,’ said Carney.
Ford followed up by saying he has “no interest at all interfering in American elections.”
“We’re going to focus on what we can do here in Ontario and in Canada to make sure we protect our economy, protect the people and protect communities,” the premier said.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said last week that American officials are “closely watching” Canadian politicians for signs of election interference ahead of the midterms.
Hoekstra pointed to Joly’s comments about the strategy behind Canadian counter-tariffs and the Ontario government’s now infamous Ronald Reagan ad that ran in the U.S. last year.
WATCH | Trade war a major issue in midterms:
Canada-U.S. trade war emerges as key issue ahead of U.S. midterms
The Canada-U.S. trade war is solidifying itself as a major ballot-box issue in pivotal states ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
Wednesday’s embassy release listed a number of grievances that Hoekstra raised last week but also added more, including Canada’s consul general in Boston, Bernadette Jordan, appearing at a Canada-U.S. trade event with Democratic candidates — as well Liberal MP Anthony Housefather canvassing for a Florida Democrat during a primary vote earlier this year.
About half of the instances listed on the embassy’s release occurred in 2026, and a handful point to events from last year, including a federal government billboard campaign from early 2025.
The release also alleges “Canada has the second-highest total of prosecutions for fraudulent or illegal voting of any country,” while listing 11 Canadians who have been charged for illegally voting in past U.S. elections.
According to the release, while the alleged offences took place between 2012 and 2024 — the 11 Canadians were all charged or sentenced this year.
Joly pushed back against Hoekstra’s previous comments, telling reporters last week that Canada would never engage in election interference and would “never accept that also being done to us in Canada.”
WATCH | Canada ‘absolutely not’ interfering, Joly says:
Canada ‘absolutely not’ interfering in U.S. midterms, Joly says
Asked about the United States Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra’s comments about watching for Canadian interference in the U.S. midterm elections, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly says ‘we never do that and we never accept that also being done to us in Canada.’ She says her recent visits to the U.S. were ‘to attract investments’ by American companies and she will continue to do so.
Joly said she has been to the U.S. in recent months and has met with Democrats and Republicans.
Carney also told Global News last week that Canada doesn’t “get ourselves involved in [foreign] elections.”
Peter Navarro, one of Trump’s top trade advisers, also suggested Canada could interfere in the midterms during an economic conference in Washington last month.
“The problem you have is you lobby this country and you’ve been successful in the past and you think you can keep doing that,” Navarro said of Canada’s approach to trade talks.
“Memo to Canada: You cannot do that. That game is up and if you interfere in our elections in Maine or Michigan you will pay even more dearly.”
WATCH | Trump adviser issues warning to Canada:
‘You will pay’: Trump adviser warns Canada not to ‘interfere’ with U.S. midterms
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro warned Canada not to ‘interfere’ with U.S. midterm elections in border states such as Maine and Michigan by lobbying against the Trump administration’s tariffs. Navarro said Canada would ‘pay even more dearly’ for doing so.
The trade war has become a pressure point on Republican candidates running for the Senate in the two border states Navarro mentioned.
The Republican candidate for Michigan’s open Senate seat released a new 30-second ad criticizing tariffs earlier this month.
“Here in Michigan we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now,” Mike Rogers says in the ad.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who has represented Maine since 1997, has also tried to distance herself from Trump’s tariffs.
The Globe and Mail reported recently that Republican political operatives were on the ground in Alberta earlier this year to help the separatist campaign. CBC News previously reported that Alberta separatists also attended meetings in U.S. State Department offices in Washington, D.C., last year.
Since returning to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump has made a number of public statements backing candidates in various countries, including Argentina and Hungary.