Liberal staffers responsible for planting phoney buttons have been reassigned, Carney says

Liberal Leader Mark Carney issued a strong condemnation on Monday regarding the actions of some members of the party’s war room who planted fake campaign buttons at a conservative gathering in Ottawa. Carney described the behavior as “totally unacceptable” and stated that the campaign staffers involved have been reassigned as a result of their actions.

“I was unaware of this behavior, but on behalf of my campaign, I apologize for it unreservedly,” Carney said during a defense announcement in Montreal. “I made it absolutely clear to my campaign that this behavior, or anything similar to it, is unacceptable and cannot happen.”

The incident in question occurred at the Canada Strong and Free Networking (CSFN) Conference, where two Liberal Party staffers placed buttons that featured Trump-style language and highlighted division within the Conservative Party. The buttons were strategically scattered throughout the event space to give the impression that they were left by attendees of the conference.

One button bore the phrase “stop the steal,” a reference to former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the outcome of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Another button depicted the name “Jenni Byrne” crossed out, with the name “Kory Teneycke” written underneath. Byrne serves as the national campaign director for the Conservative Party of Canada, while Teneycke is a prominent conservative strategist who has been critical of the party’s campaign strategy.

In response to the incident, a Conservative Party spokesperson denounced the actions of the Liberal operatives, accusing them of importing American-style politics into Canada. The spokesperson criticized the Liberals for fueling election denial and undermining national unity in their pursuit of power.

Carney emphasized that those responsible for the campaign antics have been held accountable and reassigned within the campaign. He expressed regret over the incident and reiterated his commitment to upholding ethical campaign practices.

The controversy surrounding the planted campaign buttons underscores the intense political climate in Canada as parties gear up for the upcoming election. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity and respect in political discourse, even amidst fierce competition.