Tens of thousands of Canadians have joined a petition urging for the expulsion of Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada appointed by President Donald Trump. The online petition, slated for presentation in the House of Commons, demands that Hoekstra be declared persona non grata and urges the Canadian government to seek his removal from the country.
The petition, initiated by a Calgary resident, highlights concerns over Hoekstra’s actions, accusing him of damaging the Canada-U.S. diplomatic ties with his statements and interference in Canadian politics. It also calls for a parliamentary committee to investigate U.S. diplomatic involvement in Canadian affairs.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is set to present the petition in Parliament, emphasizing Hoekstra’s alleged normalization of the Trump administration’s threats to annex Canada. Hoekstra previously sparked controversy by suggesting that Canada’s annexation by the U.S. would be a suitable topic for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump.
Addressing a gathering in Halifax, Hoekstra expressed disappointment with the “anti-American” rhetoric during the recent Canadian election campaign and criticized the characterization of the U.S. tariff actions as a trade war. He has consistently defended the President’s viewpoints in response to Canadian journalists’ challenges.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa declined to provide a detailed comment on the petition, acknowledging its awareness of the matter. Persona non grata declarations, like the one sought in this case, can strip an individual of diplomatic immunity under the UN’s Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, leading to their expulsion from the country.
Recent expulsions by Canada have targeted diplomats from China and India over allegations of foreign interference. In a notable incident, Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei was declared persona non grata for reportedly targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong’s family, while six Indian diplomats were expelled following allegations of their government’s involvement in a campaign against Canadian citizens linked to the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
Under Prime Minister Carney’s leadership, Canada has sought to enhance relations with China and India despite diplomatic tensions.
