Tens of thousands of Canadians have endorsed a petition urging the expulsion of Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada. The online petition, slated for presentation in the House of Commons, demands that Hoekstra be labeled persona non grata and that the Canadian government seek his removal from office. The petition, spearheaded by a Calgary resident, highlights Hoekstra’s alleged actions that have strained the Canada-U.S. diplomatic ties and his unwarranted interventions in Canadian politics.
The petition, which has garnered nearly 60,000 signatures, is set to be tabled in Parliament by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. It also calls for a parliamentary committee to investigate U.S. interference in Canadian affairs. Hoekstra’s controversial remarks suggesting the possibility of Canada’s annexation by the U.S. have further fueled the petition’s momentum.
In response to Hoekstra’s statements that have sparked backlash in Canada, he defended his stance during a public appearance in Halifax where he criticized the negative portrayal of the Trump administration’s policies by Canadian politicians. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa refrained from commenting on the petition but acknowledged its existence.
The petition’s push for Hoekstra’s expulsion draws parallels to previous diplomatic expulsions by Canada, including the recent cases involving Chinese and Indian diplomats over alleged interference activities. In 2023, Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat for reportedly targeting a Canadian MP, while the following year saw the expulsion of several Indian officials amid allegations of government-led campaigns against Canadian citizens. These incidents underscore the importance of maintaining diplomatic decorum and addressing foreign interference concerns.
