Canada has told its diplomats working in the United States to stay away from candidates in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The Canadian Press reported the guidance on Thursday. The move comes as the Trump administration accuses Canadian politicians of trying to influence American politics. 1
What the memo says
Glen Linder, an assistant deputy minister for the Americas at Global Affairs Canada, sent the memo to Canadian foreign service members in the U.S. He sent it midday Tuesday. 1 Global Affairs Canada is Canada's foreign ministry.
If a diplomat ends up "in the same physical space" as a candidate or elected official, the memo says to avoid being photographed. It also says to keep the diplomat's name or position out of public communications. 1
Meetings with elected officials who are not candidates can still happen if necessary. They must be discussed in advance with senior officials. 1
From Channel GOPTalarico blames corrupt tariffs and war for pricesJames Talarico · 147 plays · captioned, with the source named
we need to take our obligation of non-partisanship extremely seriously.
The American accusations
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said American officials are keeping a close watch on Canadian politicians for signs of election interference. He warned them to stay out of American politics. He said the U.S. would respond if Canadian actions amounted to interference. 2
Hoekstra pointed to Ontario's political ads from last year and to comments by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly. He said Joly had discussed targeting retaliatory tariffs at "politically sensitive states." 12
Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro told an audience that Canadians lobbying Washington should "get the hell out of our country." 2 The U.S. embassy in Canada also released a list of quotes from Canadian politicians that it said showed "plans to influence American politics." Joly is quoted five times. 1
Canada pushes back
Joly said Canada would never engage in election interference. She also said she has met with both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. 1 Prime Minister Mark Carney said the U.S. started the trade actions between the two countries. 1
All of our actions are in the interests of Canadian workers
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who was also quoted in the embassy's release, said he has "no interest at all" in interfering. 1
What happens next
Americans vote Nov. 3, and the result could end Republican control of Congress. 1 Janice Charette, Canada's chief trade negotiator to the U.S., said Trump will remain president after the midterms and will still drive trade policy. She does not see Canada returning to a "tariff-free existence." 1
Trump ended trade talks in October 2025 after Ontario aired an ad using Ronald Reagan clips on tariffs. In August, Carney ordered Canada's negotiators to call off trade talks with the U.S. 2
That matters because it shows how far the tension has spread. A close ally is now rearranging its diplomats' schedules to avoid being named in a U.S. election dispute. Neither report says Canada has been shown to interfere in the election. We have not found a Democratic response to the memo. We will update this story if one comes.
The Record
- Trump ended trade talks with Canada in October 2025 after Ontario aired an ad using Ronald Reagan clips on tariffs 2
- U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warned Canadian politicians to stay out of American politics 2
- Glen Linder sent the memo telling Canadian diplomats in the U.S. to avoid being photographed with candidates 1
- The Canadian Press reported the memo and Carney disputed the U.S. interference claims 1
Sources
- The Canadian Press (via Chronicle-Journal), “Ottawa tells its diplomats not to meet with U.S. midterm candidates” (2026-10-22). chroniclejournal.com/news/national/ottawa-tells-its-diplomat
- The Canadian Press (via Global News), “U.S. watching for Canadian 'interference' in midterms, Hoekstra says” (2026-10-15). globalnews.ca/news/12103460/canada-midterms-interference-hoe
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