Tories defend Ontario election ads featuring Russian stock footage

TORONTO – Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives are defending the use of footage from Russia in one of their campaign television ads.

They say it’s just how advertising works in the 21st century.

Part of the TV spot — called “Ontario Working Better” — shows Tory Leader Tim Hudak touting his one-million jobs plan over video of office workers at a computer screen.

Another shot shows teens reading in a classroom.

The Ottawa Citizen says the images are both from Russia and sourced from a stock footage agency.

The Conservatives accuse the Liberals of playing “gotcha” politics by planting the story.

Hudak himself has not commented.