U.S. Embassy Accuses Canadian Leaders of Interfering in Upcoming Midterm Elections
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has accused the Canadian government, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, of attempting to interfere in the November 3 U.S. midterm elections. Canadian leaders deny the allegations, saying their actions aim to protect domestic economic interests. Meanwhile, at least 11 Canadians have been charged this year for illegally voting in past U.S. elections.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a statement accusing the Canadian government of brushing off concerns about potential interference ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra stated that American officials are closely watching Canadian politicians for signs of election interference.
The embassy's release listed specific examples of alleged interference. These included Industry Minister Mélanie Joly's comments on counter-tariffs, an Ontario government advertisement featuring Ronald Reagan, and canvassing by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather for a Florida Democrat. Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro warned Canada that interfering in elections in Maine or Michigan would result in severe consequences.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford denied allegations that they are trying to sway the U.S. vote. Both leaders asserted that their actions are intended to protect Canadian jobs and the economy against U.S. trade policies.
Concurrently, the Trump administration has intensified a crackdown on non-citizen voting. At least 11 Canadians have been charged or sentenced this year for illegally voting in past U.S. elections, with offenses occurring between 2012 and 2024. The U.S. Embassy claimed Canada has the second-highest total of prosecutions for fraudulent or illegal voting of any country.
Among those arrested was Robert Harold Corbett, a Canadian-born man raised in the United States. He was charged with falsely claiming citizenship to vote after federal agents discovered he was not a U.S. citizen.
The dispute has generated significant public reaction in Canada. A petition calling for the removal of Ambassador Hoekstra for undermining diplomatic relations received more than 280,000 signatures.