Conservatives delete video showing what Liberals say are Russian planes – National
The Conservative Party of Canada has removed a video that was intended to promote its Canadian values but featured footage of what the defence minister’s office says were Russian fighter jets.
The party acknowledged Monday that mistakes happen, while noting that the Liberals have faced backlash over archival footage in the past.
The video in question was posted by the party on X on Saturday with the slogan “Canada. Our Home” and included a speech by leader Pierre Poilievre at the Calgary Stampede.
In the video, Poilievre describes a Canadian man driving down a highway on his way to work after dropping his child off at school, and spots a brand new fighter jet in the sky.
“They are flying a training mission in the sky, preparing to defend our home and our homeland,” Poilievre said.
The two planes that appear in the video as Poilievre uttered the sentence were Russian Su-17 and Su-27 aircraft, according to Defense Secretary Bill Blair’s spokesman.
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“Surprisingly, Mr. Poilievre’s dream for Canada includes Russian fighter jets flying over our glorious Prairies on a ‘training mission,'” Daniel Minden said in a statement Monday.
“This comes as Russia continues its illegal and unprovoked war against Ukraine and against the international rules that keep us all safe.”
X-rated users and New Democrats were also quick to point out that the planes appeared to be Russian-owned and that other stock footage used in the party’s video was not actually Canadian.
“It’s one thing to use a stock photo, but it’s another to spin a fantasy in which Russia, America and Serbia represent your dream for the future of our country,” NDP deputy ethics critic Charlie Angus said in a statement.
The New Democrats have since demanded that Poilievre denounce the use of “fake, bogus and fake” digital content.
“The video has been removed – mistakes happen, as you can see here,” Conservative Party spokeswoman Sarah Fischer said, adding that a 2011 Liberal ad was reviewed for its use of stock footage.
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