The New Democrats used a stock image from Russia in a recent video, weeks after the party criticized the Conservatives for doing the same.
On Wednesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced in a video message that he was ending the supply and confidence deal with the Liberal government, while accusing Conservative policies of hurting Canadians, including retirees.
The video then flashes to a stock video of two seniors sitting at a table looking at their laptop.
The Canadian Press independently verified from several stock image sites, including Getty Images, that the video originated from Russia.
The two seniors are also featured in photographs on a website for a Russian university, which says they are faculty members there.
“We obtained the image from a North American stock image service,” the New Democrats said in a statement,
“Nowhere did the service mention where the video was taken. We’ll take better care in the future.”
The NDP video remains up on all their social platforms.
Last month New Democrats denounced the Conservative Party of Canada after it used non-Canadian stock images in one of its videos, including Russian fighter jets.
The Conservative Party deleted the video after online criticism, saying “mistakes happen,” while pointing out that a Liberal ad from 2011 was scrutinized over its use of stock images.
At the time, MP Charlie Angus, NDP deputy critic for ethics, criticized the use of non-Canadian images in political messaging.
“I love Canada. I want the next election to be run in Canada, for Canada,” Angus said in a statement on Aug. 19.
Condemning the Conservatives over Russian footage
New Democrats went on to condemn the use of “phoney, fake, bogus” digital content.
Meanwhile, Government House leader Karina Gould said both the NDP and Conservatives will have to explain why “neither could be bothered to use images of actual Canadians.”
“I find it very strange that two major Canadian political parties — the NDP and the CPC — are not taking more care in their communications to Canadians about Canadians,” Gould said in a statement.
While the NDP and Conservatives are “focused on promoting their own political interests,” she said the Liberal government is “squarely focused on delivering important measures and programs for Canadians that meet their needs.”
At Issue22:22Will axing the Liberal deal help the NDP?
At Issue this week: Jagmeet Singh defends his decision to end the supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals, but will it help the NDP in the polls? Plus, a look ahead to the Liberal caucus retreat and byelections in Winnipeg and Montreal. Rosemary Barton hosts Chantal Hébert, Andrew Coyne and Althia Raj.