Tens of thousands of Canadian citizens have signed a petition demanding the expulsion of Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada appointed by President Donald Trump. The online petition, slated for presentation in the House of Commons later this year, calls for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and urges the Canadian government to seek his removal from the ambassadorial position.
The petition, initiated by a resident of Calgary, alleges that Hoekstra has been detrimental to the diplomatic ties between Canada and the U.S. by making statements that undermine the relationship and interfering in Canadian political matters in a manner inconsistent with diplomatic norms. It further advocates for a parliamentary committee to investigate U.S. diplomatic meddling in Canadian affairs.
Currently, the petition has garnered close to 60,000 signatures, a significant increase from just 24 hours ago. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is set to present the petition in Parliament, emphasizing that MPs can table petitions without endorsing their content. The document also criticizes Hoekstra for normalizing the notion of the U.S. annexing Canada.
Hoekstra stirred controversy by suggesting that Canada’s annexation by the U.S. should be a topic of discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump. His past remarks expressing disappointment over the anti-American sentiment during Canada’s federal election campaign and criticism of Canadian leaders for their stance on the U.S. tariff policy have also drawn public ire.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has acknowledged the petition, although a spokesperson declined to comment on its specifics. The petition’s call for Hoekstra’s expulsion aligns with past instances where Canada expelled diplomats, such as those from China and India, over allegations of foreign interference. This action, known as declaring persona non grata, enables governments to revoke diplomatic immunity and mandate the departure of the individual in question.