Tens of Canadians have signed a petition urging the expulsion of Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, citing his alleged interference in Canadian affairs. The online petition, expected to be presented in the House of Commons soon, calls for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and removed from his diplomatic post.
The petition, initiated by a Calgary resident, has garnered nearly 60,000 signatures, with a significant increase in signatories within a day. It accuses Hoekstra of damaging the Canada-U.S. diplomatic relationship through inappropriate statements and interventions in Canadian politics that violate diplomatic norms.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is set to present the petition in Parliament, emphasizing the need for a review of U.S. diplomatic involvement in Canadian matters. Hoekstra came under scrutiny for suggesting that Canada’s annexation by the U.S. would be a valid topic for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.
In response to criticism, Hoekstra defended his role in representing the President’s views, expressing disappointment with what he perceived as anti-American rhetoric during the recent federal election campaign. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa declined to comment on the petition but acknowledged its awareness of the situation.
The petition highlights concerns over Hoekstra’s normalization of threats to annex Canada, prompting calls for his expulsion. Such actions are not unprecedented, as Canada has recently expelled diplomats from China and India over allegations of interference in domestic affairs. These diplomatic expulsions underscore the importance of upholding international norms and safeguarding national sovereignty.