OTTAWA — Canadian diplomats have been instructed to steer clear of U.S. midterm candidates and avoid being photographed with American lawmakers until voters go to the polls Nov. 3. Global Affairs Canada issued the guidance Tuesday, Oct. 20, ahead of the U.S. midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. The department said officials are routinely told to limit public events and engagement with stakeholders during election periods in the country where they are posted. The directive came as tensions rose over claims from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa that several Canadian leaders had interfered in American campaigns. Canadian officials have rejected the allegation. At a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford said their priority was the economy. Ford said he had “no interest at all in interfering in the American elections.” The instruction is set to remain in effect through Election Day, keeping Canadian representatives away from campaign events during the final stretch of a consequential vote for Congress and U.S. policy.