Coalition Avenir Québec Leader Christine Fréchette has asked Prime Minister Mark Carney for help examining possible U.S. interference in Quebec’s election and says her team contacted the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The allegations dominated campaigning Friday, with 10 days remaining before the Oct. 5 vote and advance polls set to open Sunday.

The dispute follows reports that an American think tank proposed steps to weaken Canadian unity, including supporting and financing the Parti Québécois, the province’s sovereigntist party. A report by Quebecor media, citing two unnamed sources in Fréchette’s government, said American government officials had tried to negotiate tariffs directly with Quebec.

The Quebecor report also referred to an essay published in February by the U.S.-based Defense Analyses and Research Corporation. The essay called for Americans to destabilize the Canadian federation and urged support for sovereigntist candidates in Canadian elections. It proposed using reconciliation between Canada and First Nations as a “weaponize”d means to “slowly nudge” the country toward what it called the end of history.

Fréchette spoke about the allegations twice during a campaign stop Friday. She said Quebecers alone should decide who forms the next provincial government and told reporters in the morning, “I want help from the federal government to shed light on the issue.”

A statement from Fréchette’s office later Friday said her team informed her last Saturday about essays published by the think tank. The Coalition Avenir Québec contacted CSIS on Tuesday, and the agency met with the team on Wednesday, according to the statement. It added that Fréchette’s team had received no information confirming interference in the election campaign. CSIS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Fréchette also confirmed that American officials contacted her government in the spring about sectors related to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA. “When my team told me about it, I shut the door on it right away. Because, as far as I’m concerned, it’s unthinkable that Quebec could sign an agreement with the United States,” she said.

“The information revealed about potential foreign interference is serious and the truth will come out,” Fréchette said. She reiterated that Quebecers alone should determine the next government.

Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon questioned both the claims and when they became public, saying he had not seen proof of interference. He asked why the CAQ had not acted sooner if there was a genuine risk, and why it was now releasing the information two days before voting began if there was no risk.

St-Pierre Plamondon said advance voting starts Sunday and described the timing as “weird.” “I’m told the information was available as of January. We’re talking about events that might have taken place in early September,” he said. “And we’re only hearing about this two days before voting begins.”

Earlier in the campaign, the PQ leader accused the federal government of interfering in the election by strategically announcing major investments in Quebec. He also criticized what he called “anxiety-inducing” messages about the trade war with the United States. On Friday, he urged Quebecers to vote “with peace of mind” and not let the federal or American governments “kidnap” the election.

St-Pierre Plamondon has promised a sovereignty referendum if the PQ forms government, but says it would not take place before U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the White House.

Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard said he would have made the information public if he had known about it earlier, and argued Fréchette should have been more transparent. “If I had known this information before, I would have used it; I would have shared it, as you know, the premier of Quebec. This is not what happened… I think it’s a question of leadership,” he said.

Milliard said Trump would benefit from political instability in Canada. He also argued that all party leaders should have been informed when the allegations first surfaced.

Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said Quebecers would decide the election and called for greater transparency. “What is she telling us? After she meets Carney, it’s crucial that she informs all Quebecers of the nature of the interference, if there was interference,” Ghazal said. “It’s not for Americans to tell us if they want the PQ or another political party in Alberta to be elected,” she added. Ghazal suggested the U.S. government could have an interest in separatist movements in both Quebec and Alberta.

Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is taking the allegations seriously. “Protecting our democracy is of the utmost importance to our country,” she said. Anand said she did not believe anything was currently affecting Canada’s democracy, while adding that she raises concerns with counterparts, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when issues arise. “Right now I do not have proof,” she said.

Party leaders continued campaigning on other issues, including government accountability and transportation. Quebecers can vote at advance polls beginning Sunday; polling stations will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Online information is available about polling locations and other advance voting dates.

Five parties are expecting to win seats in the Oct. 5 election: Fréchette’s CAQ, the Parti Québécois, the Quebec Liberals, the Quebec Conservatives and Québec solidaire. The report included files from The Canadian Press.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.