Canadian diplomats told to avoid U.S. midterm candidates amid interference claims

Explainer

Canadian diplomats in the United States were directed this week not to meet with or attend events with candidates in the U.S. midterm elections.

Glen Linder, assistant deputy minister for the Americas at Global Affairs Canada, sent the memo midday Tuesday.

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It says if diplomats find themselves “in the same physical space” as a candidate or elected official, they should avoid being photographed or having their name or position appear in any public communications materials.

“Especially in view of heightened sensitivity, we need to take our obligation of non-partisanship extremely seriously and take a very risk-averse approach,” the memo says.

What prompted the diplomatic memo?

The directive comes as the Trump administration accuses Canadian politicians of interfering in American elections.

The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a "fact sheet" on Wednesday listing instances it alleges could amount to "potential" interference.

It includes a reference to Bernadette Jordan, Canada's consul general in Boston, appearing at a Canada-U.S. trade event with Democratic candidates last week.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is quoted five times in the list, which includes her past comments about targeting retaliatory tariffs at "politically sensitive states."

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra warned earlier this month that American officials are “closely watching” Canadian politicians and told them to keep their “nose out” of American politics.

How have Canadian leaders responded?

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford both disputed the claims on Wednesday.

“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.”

Ford said he has “no interest at all interfering in American elections.”

Joly pushed back on the assertions last week, saying Canada would never engage in election interference and would “never accept that also being done to us in Canada.”

She said she has met with both Republicans and Democrats during recent trips to the U.S. “That is diplomacy, that's what we do,” she told reporters.

What are the rules for Canadian diplomats?

The memo states that meetings or events with other elected officials who aren’t candidates in the midterms can happen if necessary, but they should be discussed in advance with senior officials.

It says the instructions are similar to those in place during election periods in Canada, when public servants are expected to avoid contact with elected officials except in exceptional circumstances.

A source told CBC News that two separate notices were sent out in the last month, with the most recent issued last week before the U.S. Embassy released its statement.

The source characterized the advice as basic reminders, which included being careful with social media and not picking sides.

A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said the instructions are part of regular business for missions abroad during election periods in their host country.

How is the trade war factoring into the U.S. election?

The trade war has become a pressure point on Republican candidates in border states like Michigan and Maine.

The Republican candidate for Michigan's open Senate seat, Mike Rogers, released a new ad this month criticizing tariffs.

“Here in Michigan we know that Canada is not our enemy. We need to end this tariff war now,” Rogers says in the ad.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has also tried to distance herself from Trump's tariffs.

Janice Charette, Canada’s chief trade negotiator to the United States, said Thursday that Donald Trump will continue to be president after the midterms and his administration will still drive trade policy.

“We will remain absolutely focused on what Canada’s objectives are here and pursue them whenever the moment arrives,” Charette said.

Americans head to the polls on Nov. 3 for midterm elections that could end Republican control of Congress.

With files from The Canadian Press, CityNews and CBC News