A significant and rapidly growing movement in Canada is demanding the expulsion of U. S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. An online petition calling for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and removed from Canada has garnered over 70,000 signatures as of Wednesday evening. The petition, which is slated for presentation in the House of Commons this fall, accuses the ambassador of undermining the Canada-U. S. diplomatic relationship through repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse, which are described as inconsistent with diplomatic protocol.
The petition highlights concerns that Hoekstra has normalized rhetoric from the Trump administration regarding the potential annexation of Canada. Specifically, his past comments suggesting that Canada becoming the 51st U. S. state would be a "great discussion" between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump have drawn widespread criticism. The movement behind the petition argues such statements are inappropriate for an ambassador.
Launched by a Calgary resident, the petition will be sponsored by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, who, as per parliamentary procedure, is required to table petitions from constituents regardless of personal agreement. The U. S. Embassy in Canada has acknowledged awareness of the petition but has declined to comment. This surge in calls for expulsion comes amid ongoing diplomatic complexities between the two nations, including trade disputes and rhetoric that some Canadians perceive as anti-American. The petition also references Hoekstra's criticism of Canadian consumer boycotts and provincial actions regarding American liquor products.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has previously stated that Canada would not expel Ambassador Hoekstra, emphasizing the need to work with the current U. S. administration due to the significant trade and security relationship between the two countries. However, the widespread public support for the petition indicates a notable level of discontent among Canadians regarding the ambassador's conduct and its perceived impact on bilateral relations.
