A petition signed by tens of thousands of Canadians is urging the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra from Ottawa. The online petition demands that Hoekstra be declared persona non grata and asks the Canadian government to seek his removal as the U.S. ambassador to Canada. The petition, set to be presented in the House of Commons, has gathered nearly 60,000 signatures, doubling in just 24 hours.
Accusations against Hoekstra in the petition include statements that undermine Canada-U.S. diplomatic relations and interventions in Canadian political discussions that are deemed inconsistent with diplomatic protocols. The petition also calls for a parliamentary committee to review U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian matters.
Launched by a woman from Calgary, the petition will be presented in Parliament by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. It highlights concerns that Hoekstra has normalized the Trump administration’s threats to annex Canada.
Hoekstra sparked controversy in June when he suggested that Canada’s annexation by the U.S. would be a suitable topic for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.
Last September, Hoekstra expressed disappointment over the “anti-American” tone in Canada’s federal election campaign and criticized the characterization of the U.S. tariff campaign as a trade war. He has also condemned Canadian leaders for discouraging travel to the U.S. and removing American liquor from shelves.
In response to challenges from Canadian reporters, Hoekstra defended himself by stating that he presents the president’s views as part of his job. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on the petition but acknowledged its awareness of the situation.
Notable Expulsions Focused on China and India
The petition seeks to employ a persona non grata declaration, a mechanism under the UN’s Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to remove Hoekstra from the country by stripping his diplomatic immunity. In the past, Canada expelled diplomats from China and India over allegations of foreign interference.
In recent years, Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat after accusations of targeting a Conservative MP and removed several Indian officials following allegations of government involvement in a campaign against Canadian citizens linked to a murder in British Columbia. The federal government, under Carney’s leadership, has endeavored to enhance relations with both China and India.