UPDATE: Conservatives remove Historica Canada branding from Trudeau attack ad

(UPDATE – Feb. 4 @ 6:50 p.m.): The Conservative party has agreed to remove all Historica Canada branding from their Heritage Minute parody which took aim at the Trudeau government for a handful of ethics breaches.

The original video, reportedly posted Saturday night, was condemned by Historica Canada for use of their branding. After editing the video to ensure viewers it was "intended as a parody," the Tories reposted the video.

Despite the Conservative party's edits, Historica Canada was not happy.

A follow up to our previous statement, with regards to the @CPC_HQ video shared earlier today: pic.twitter.com/fr5kUIsDzM

— Historica Canada (@HistoricaCanada) February 4, 2019

The Historica Foundation responded Sunday night in a tweet, once more asking the Conservative party to remove the video, irritated by the Conservative party's use of their Heritage Minute format for partisan political purposes.

"The new version makes clear the fake #HeritageMinute is not by [Historica Canada]," Anthony Wilson-Smith, CEO of Historica Canada said in a tweet where he suggested the organization was considering legal action if the Conservatives did not remove all material linking the political spoof to real Heritage Minutes.

"Still not happy; we really, really want no part of political mudslinging."

The new version makes clear the fake #HeritageMinute is not by @historicacanada. Still not happy; we really, really want no part of political mudslinging: Tories delete parody ad as Heritage Minutes contemplates legal action | CBC News https://t.co/6VGjPJtVFy

— Anthony Wilson-Smith (@awilsonsmith) February 4, 2019

The Heritage Minute has aired over 85 dramatized vignettes, their website states, which are meant to "recreate events of importance, accomplishment and bravery in our country’s history."

In a tweet published by the Conservative party's official Twitter account on Monday, the party said they had removed the video, but reiterated their intention to use a "recognizable and often-parodied segment" to attack the Liberal government's ethics record by recounting cabinet ministers' breach of federal rules as if they were landmark events.

We have removed all Heritage Minute branding from the video we posted over the weekend. Our intention was simply to use a recognizable and often-parodied segment to highlight Justin Trudeau’s many ethical breaches. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/ihtW8PNi4i

— Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) February 4, 2019

Historica Canada posted on Twitter following the removal of their branding stating that they considered the matter to be closed to their satisfaction.

The Conservative party published a tweet clarifying that they did not wish to bring negative attention to Historica Canada and wished to maintain a positive relationship with the Canadian organization; however, they plan to continue to "use our digital platforms to hold Liberals to account for their entitlements and abuse of taxpayer dollars," they said in a preceding tweet.

However, we did not intend to draw negative attention to Historica Canada. They do great work profiling Canadian history and we wish to maintain our positive relationship with the organization. 3/3

— Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) February 4, 2019

According to Conservative party talking points obtained by The Canadian Press, the Tories for a while planned to argue that the ad was a parody and that Historica “appears to be fine with political videos as long as they target Conservatives.”

The party didn’t respond to an email seeking confirmation that the talking-points document was genuine.

Historica Canada does have a YouTube page collecting faux Heritage Minutes, many of them by comedian Rick Mercer, who is a Historica board member, on his former CBC show. One of those directly targets the last Conservative government’s climate-change policies.

Besides Mercer, the foundation board also includes Conservative MP Michael Chong; retired broadcaster Peter Mansbridge; former NDP premier and ambassador Gary Doer; and businessman Lynton “Red” Wilson, who advised the Conservatives on several fronts when Stephen Harper was prime minister.

While the spotlight was on Historica Canada, Wilson-Smith also added that Heritage Minutes is introducing three new episodes in the next six months.

While we’re talking #HeritageMinutes, just FYI: three new ones coming in next six months, including one in next couple weeks.

— Anthony Wilson-Smith (@awilsonsmith) February 5, 2019

(Original Story – Feb. 3 @ 2:45 p.m.): The Conservative Party is receiving flak from Historica Canada after they adopted the “Heritage Minute” format to attack Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The original version of this video was intended as a parody. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/hJcwTOsWsE

— Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) February 3, 2019

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer reportedly tweeted the video on Saturday night, which was produced by his party, saying that “Liberal scandals” are “a part of our heritage.”

Historica Canada, the non-profit organization known for producing the “Heritage Minute” TV spots, were not happy with the Conservative Party’s use of the Historica Canada’s style.

In a tweet on Sunday, Historica Canada condemned the spoof for using their format for political purposes.

“While we often welcome parodies of the Minutes, we do not approve of them being used for partisan political purposes,” it said, adding that they are a non-partisan charity that works with various levels of government.

“We are therefore asking the Conservative Party to immediately remove this from all media platforms.”

A statement on the fake "Heritage Minute" shared by @CPC_HQ and @AndrewScheer: pic.twitter.com/FF5De9ilcZ

— Historica Canada (@HistoricaCanada) February 3, 2019

The Conservative Party removed the video, replacing it with an edited version Sunday afternoon that stated "the original version of this video was intended as a parody. The video was also accompanied by comments regarding the Party's original intentions.

"Upon reflection, however, we realize the historical importance of Justin Trudeau actually being the first prime minister in Canadian history to be found guilty of breaking ethics laws, and, as such, how that could be perceived as a real Heritage Minute," the Conservative Party tweeted.

"We wouldn't want it mistaken for a real production by Historica Canada, which typically showcases prouder moments in Canadian history."

Local Liberal and Conservative MPs did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

We wouldn’t want it mistaken for a real production by Historica Canada, which typically showcase prouder moments in Canadian history. The original has been removed. This video has been edited to ensure viewers are aware this video is not a Historica Canada production. 3/3

— Conservative Party (@CPC_HQ) February 3, 2019

With files from The Canadian Press