US embassy accuses Canada of brushing off election-interference allegations

The US Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet accusing Canadian officials of plans to influence the November 3 US midterm elections through trade pressure and meetings with Democrats.

• The embassy's Wednesday fact sheet said Canada "brushes off concerns about potential interference," citing ministers' and premiers' public statements on influencing US politics.
• The sheet singled out Industry Minister Mélanie Joly's meetings with Democratic officials and her remark that meeting governors and potential presidential candidates was "exactly why" she was consulting them.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed the allegations, saying Canada had responded to US-initiated trade actions "to protect Canadian jobs."
• Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he has "no interest at all" in interfering in US elections, adding that Americans "will make that determination in the midterms."