Carney says there is “no merit” to U.S. claims Canada is interfering in election ahead of midterms

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Prime Minister Mark Carney said there is “no merit” to American claims that Canadians might be interfering in U.S. politics ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Carney was speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey on Oct. 23, 2026, and said he is “disappointed” that U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is spreading those claims.

The claims, raised by officials in the Trump administration, including Hoekstra, assert that Canadian politicians are interfering in the democratic process south of the border. Hoekstra has said the administration is watching Canadian politicians closely ahead of the midterms and warned them to butt out of American politics.

Carney has “consistently” rebutted accusations of electoral interference, and he said Canada maintains deep diplomatic ties with the United States while being careful to avoid even the perception of interference in electoral processes.

The prime minister said Canadian diplomats were told this week not to meet with or attend events with candidates in the U.S. midterm elections, citing a period of “heightened sensitivity.”