Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

NDP used stock images from Russia, Israel after decrying Tories' foreign content use

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Sep, 2024 11:38 AM
  • NDP used stock images from Russia, Israel after decrying Tories' foreign content use

The New Democrats included stock images from Russia and Israel in a recent high-profile video, weeks after the party criticized the Conservatives for using non-Canadian images in their content. 

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh announced in a video message Wednesday he was ending a supply and confidence deal with the Liberal government, while accusing Conservative policies of hurting Canadians, including retirees and families.

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 about the Russian content. 

"Nowhere did the service mention where the video was taken. We'll take better care in the future.” 

The video also featured a family sitting down for breakfast, an image the Shutterstock website says came from a production company based in Israel. 

The New Democrats didn't immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the content originating in Israel. 

The NDP video, which had over three million views on X alone, remained up on all social media platforms. 

Last month the 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, New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, the party's 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 Aug. 19.  

New Democrats went on to condemn the use of "phoney, fake, bogus" digital content.  

In a statement, Government House leader Karina Gould said: "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."

She said both parties will have to explain why "neither could be bothered to use images of actual Canadians."

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."

MORE National ARTICLES

Body of second missing cousin found in Dawson Creek

Body of second missing cousin found in Dawson Creek
Mounties in Dawson Creek say they have identified human remains discovered in April as belonging to Darylyn Supernant, who was among four people to vanish from the area since she went missing in March 2023. Dawson Creek RCMP say DNA from the remains found on April 19 were compared with Supernant's parents, confirming the identity. 

Body of second missing cousin found in Dawson Creek

Police say shoplifting started at new B.C. store 40 minutes after first opening

Police say shoplifting started at new B.C. store 40 minutes after first opening
Police say a new grocery store in Prince George, B.C., has been hit by a spate of shoplifting that began 40 minutes after it opened its doors for the first time. The Buy-Low Foods store opened on Friday and police say that over the next three days a total of 12 shoplifting incidents were reported, involving 13 people and just over $450 in stolen merchandise.

Police say shoplifting started at new B.C. store 40 minutes after first opening

More rental housing units to come for Surrey

More rental housing units to come for Surrey
Construction is underway for more affordable rental housing units in Surrey. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says seniors, families and adults living with disabilities in the city will soon get access to dozens more units as construction is underway on the Harmony Apartments.

More rental housing units to come for Surrey

Sikh activists burn Modi effigy on anniversary of B.C. temple leader Nijjar's murder

Sikh activists burn Modi effigy on anniversary of B.C. temple leader Nijjar's murder
Sikh activists marked the anniversary of the killing of British Columbia temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar by holding a mock murder trial for Indian President Narendra Modi Tuesday outside the Indian consulate in downtown Vancouver. An effigy of Modi, dressed in prison stripes, was paraded down the street in a makeshift cage before the mock trial began on Tuesday. 

Sikh activists burn Modi effigy on anniversary of B.C. temple leader Nijjar's murder

Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people

Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people
More than 50 people from a supportive-housing complex in Nanaimo were displaced Sunday after a fire in a mattress that was started by a cigarette. Troy Libbus, Nanaimo Fire Rescue's assistant chief, said their crew responded to an alarm at Samaritan Place, a supportive-housing complex that has 51 units. 

Fire at Nanaimo supportive housing displaced more than 50 people

Man convicted of murder 20 years ago dies in B.C. prison

Man convicted of murder 20 years ago dies in B.C. prison
A man convicted of first-degree murder for killing his business partner in Port Coquitlam in 1994 has died in prison. Correctional Service Canada says David Anthony Lowe, an inmate at William Head Institution near Victoria, died of apparent natural causes last week. 

Man convicted of murder 20 years ago dies in B.C. prison