Tens of thousands of Canadian residents have signed a petition urging for the expulsion of the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra. The online petition, slated for submission in the House of Commons later this year, demands that Hoekstra be declared persona non grata and that the Canadian government seek his removal from his ambassadorial post.
The petition, initiated by a Calgary resident, highlights concerns that Hoekstra’s statements have negatively impacted the Canada-U.S. diplomatic ties and have breached diplomatic protocols by interfering in Canadian political matters. It also calls for a parliamentary review of U.S. diplomatic involvement in Canadian affairs.
Notably, the petition, supported by nearly 60,000 signatures to date, is set to be presented in Parliament by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, emphasizing that Members of Parliament can present petitions without necessarily endorsing their content. The document further criticizes Hoekstra for allegedly normalizing the Trump administration’s threats to annex Canada.
Hoekstra stirred controversy in June with his remarks suggesting that Canada’s annexation by the U.S. could be a viable topic for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump. Additionally, Hoekstra has faced backlash for his comments on the anti-American sentiment during Canada’s recent federal election campaign and the labeling of the U.S. tariff campaign as a trade war.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has acknowledged the petition, with a spokesperson declining to provide further comments. Persona non grata declarations, such as the one being sought by the petition, allow governments to revoke diplomatic immunity from individuals and compel them to leave the country.
Recent expulsions by Canada have targeted diplomats from China and India over alleged foreign interference activities. In 2023, a Chinese diplomat was declared persona non grata for reportedly targeting a Canadian Member of Parliament, while in subsequent years, several Indian diplomats were expelled following allegations of their involvement in a campaign against Canadian citizens, linked to the murder of a Sikh activist in British Columbia.
Overall, the petition’s growing support reflects public concerns regarding Hoekstra’s actions and their impact on bilateral relations, echoing previous diplomatic expulsions involving other nations.
