OTTAWA—The Liberal party says some of its staffers got “carried away” planting buttons with Trump-style language at a conservative conference.
As the CBC first reported, party staffers were heard talking about having planted “Stop the Steal” buttons at the Canada Strong and Free Networking conference. The conference, which took place last week, is an annual event that attracts conservative-leaning politicians from across the county. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spoke at the event, as did former U.S. Trade Representative for the first the Trump administration, Robert Lighthizer.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his campaign team did not attend the event.
“Stop the Steal” was a rallying cry for those who believed U.S. president Donald Trump had won the 2020 election, including the Jan. 6 rioters.
The Liberal staffers also reportedly distributed buttons that crossed out the name of Jenni Byrne, the current Conservative campaign manager, and replaced it with Kory Teneycke, a lobbyist and campaign manager for Doug Ford, who has been highly critical of the federal Conservative campaign.
The buttons were left out on tables at the conference to appear as though conference attendees had made them.
Liberal spokesperson Kevin Lemkay said the incident was a mistake.
“After many news reports last week about conservative infighting and prominent Trump allies being hosted at this Canadian conservative conference, it’s been reported that Liberal campaigners had created buttons poking fun at those reports — which regrettably got carried away,” he said in an email.
Lemkay didn’t specify exactly what the Liberal staffers did, but said some of the buttons that Liberals were accused of planting had nothing to do with party operatives.
“While it is worth noting that many materials being shown online have nothing to do with members of our team, the party has acted quickly to review the matter,” he said. “As leader Mark Carney has also made it clear to the campaign that this does not fit his commitment to serious and positive discourse.”
Conservative campaign spokesperson Simon Jefferies said the Liberals were creating a divisive election.
“The Liberals have been caught red-handed importing American-style politics to Canada. The Liberals are willing to stoke election denial, and even national unity, in a bid to cling to power,” he said. “Mark Carney needs to address the actions of his campaign operatives.”
