Tens of thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the expulsion of Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, citing actions that have strained bilateral relations. The online petition, soon to be presented in the House of Commons, calls for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and removed from his diplomatic post. The number of signatures on the petition has surged to nearly 60,000, demonstrating strong public support.
The petition accuses Hoekstra of making statements that undermine the Canada-U.S. diplomatic relationship and interfering in Canadian political affairs in a manner inconsistent with diplomatic norms. It also calls on the Liberal government to initiate a parliamentary committee review of U.S. diplomatic involvement in Canadian matters.
Initiated by a woman from Calgary, the petition will be brought to Parliament by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. Notably, Hoekstra has faced criticism for suggesting that Canada’s annexation by the U.S. would be a topic of discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.
Hoekstra’s comments in Halifax last September, expressing disappointment at the “anti-American” sentiment during Canada’s federal election campaign, have also stirred controversy. He has been vocal about his role in representing the views of the U.S. President, often clashing with Canadian politicians on trade and travel issues.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has acknowledged the petition, but declined to provide further comments. The petition’s demand for Hoekstra’s expulsion aligns with past actions by Canada, including the recent expulsions of diplomats from China and India over allegations of interference.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations allows for the declaration of an individual as persona non grata, stripping them of diplomatic privileges and requiring their departure from the host country. This move reflects the escalating tensions surrounding Hoekstra’s actions as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada.