A significant number of Canadian citizens have endorsed a petition demanding the expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, from Canada. The online petition, which is anticipated to be presented in the House of Commons later this year, advocates for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and urges the Canadian government to request his removal as the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
The petition, initiated by a resident of Calgary, will be introduced in Parliament by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. It emphasizes that Hoekstra has jeopardized the Canada-U.S. diplomatic ties by his remarks and interventions in Canadian political discussions that breach diplomatic norms. The document also calls for a parliamentary committee to scrutinize U.S. diplomatic involvement in Canadian affairs.
Hoekstra sparked controversy when he proposed that the annexation of Canada by the United States should be a topic for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump. This statement further fueled the discontent against him.
In response to criticism, Hoekstra defended his actions, stating that he is representing the views of the U.S. President. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa acknowledged the petition but refrained from providing further comments.
The petition highlights that the expulsion of diplomatic representatives is not uncommon in Canada, with recent expulsions targeting diplomats from China and India over allegations of interference. In 2023, a Chinese diplomat was declared persona non grata for allegedly targeting a Canadian MP’s family, while the expulsion of Indian diplomats followed accusations of government agents being involved in targeting Canadian citizens, linked to a murder case in British Columbia.
The petition’s growing support signifies a strong public sentiment against Hoekstra’s actions and their impact on bilateral relations, prompting a call for his removal as the U.S. ambassador to Canada.