US interferes in Canadian elections

Canada shrugs off U.S. warning to back off

By Randall Palmer and Allan Dowd

OTTAWA/SURREY, British Columbia (Reuters) - The United States made an unprecedented foray into Canada's election campaign on Tuesday, warning politicians not to bash Washington in their bid to win the January 23 election.

But an unapologetic Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin responded immediately by saying "c'est la vie" -- that's life -- if the United States did not like his remarks, and he would not accept anyone telling him he cannot defend his country.

Canadian progressives should ignore this US imperialism and support a government that is willing to criticize without fear. American progressives would do well to support them and add to their numbers.