Ottawa tells diplomats to avoid U.S. midterm candidates

Global Affairs Canada has told Canadian diplomats in the United States not to meet with or attend events with candidates in the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, as the Trump administration accuses Canadian politicians of trying to influence the vote.

A memo sent midday Tuesday by Glen Linder, the department’s assistant deputy minister for the Americas, told foreign service staff that if they 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 public communications, The Canadian Press reported after obtaining the memo.

Meetings or events with elected officials who are not running can go ahead if necessary but should be discussed in advance with senior officials, the memo said. “Especially in view of heightened sensitivity, we need to take our obligation of non-partisanship extremely seriously and take a very risk-averse approach,” it said.

CBC News reported, citing a source with knowledge of the notices, that two separate notices went out over the past month and that staff were also told to be careful on social media, not to pick sides and not to pose for photos with candidates. Bloomberg first reported the notices.

Global Affairs Canada described the advice as routine. “Government officials are always instructed to limit public events and stakeholder engagement during election periods in their host country,” a department spokesperson told CBC News.

The instructions come after the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a list on Wednesday of what it called instances of “potential” interference in U.S. elections. The list quotes Industry Minister Mélanie Joly several times on Canada’s counter-tariff strategy, cites comments by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and mentions an appearance by Bernadette Jordan, Canada’s consul general in Boston, at a trade event with Democratic candidates.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ford both rejected the claims on Wednesday at the news conference where they announced new support for tariff-hit industries.

“All of our actions are in the interest of Canadian workers, Canadian families and the future of this economy,” Carney said. Ford said he has “no interest at all” in interfering in American elections.

Joly pushed back again on Thursday, telling reporters in Toronto she has met with both Republicans and Democrats on recent trips. “That is diplomacy, that’s what we do,” she said. Joly is also dealing with the Stelco dispute with its U.S. owner.

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said earlier this month that American officials are watching Canadian politicians for signs of interference and warned Canada to stay out of the midterms, saying the United States would respond to any interference.

Janice Charette, Canada’s chief trade negotiator to the United States, said at the Toronto Global Forum on Thursday that Donald Trump will remain 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,” she said.

Sources: Global Affairs Canada memo, via The Canadian Press; Global Affairs Canada statement, via CBC News.

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