Overview
- Witnesses say U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra unleashed an expletive‑laden tirade at Ontario’s Washington representative during a Canadian American Business Council gala in Ottawa, blaming the ad for souring momentum on tariffs.
- President Trump has terminated negotiations with Canada and said he will raise tariffs by an additional 10%, also accusing Canada of trying to influence a pending Supreme Court case with oral arguments scheduled for Nov. 5.
- Ontario allowed the spot to air during the first two World Series games, then paused the U.S. campaign on Monday after discussions between Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation says the ad misrepresents Reagan’s remarks and that it was not contacted, while media analyses note the ad reordered lines from his 1987 address.
- Political fallout in Canada has intensified, with Ford claiming the Prime Minister’s Office saw the ad before it aired, Carney declining to confirm that, and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accusing Carney of letting the situation spiral.