A petition signed by tens of thousands of Canadians is urging the Canadian government to expel Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, labeling him persona non grata. The online petition is gaining momentum and will be presented in the House of Commons soon.
The petition, initiated by a Calgary resident, highlights Hoekstra’s actions that allegedly undermine the diplomatic ties between Canada and the U.S. It also calls for a review of U.S. interference in Canadian political matters.
As of Wednesday morning, nearly 60,000 individuals have signed the petition, signaling a significant increase in support within a day.
Hoekstra faced criticism for his statements that have been seen as inappropriate for his diplomatic role, including suggesting Canada’s annexation by the U.S. as a possible discussion topic between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May will present the petition in Parliament, emphasizing the need to address Hoekstra’s alleged normalization of threats towards Canada by the Trump administration.
During a speech in Halifax last September, Hoekstra expressed disappointment over the negative portrayal of the U.S. in Canadian politics and defended the administration’s tariff policies. He also condemned actions by Canadian leaders that discouraged travel to the U.S. and restricted American products.
Responding to Canadian reporters’ queries, Hoekstra stated his role is to represent the views of the U.S. president. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa acknowledged the petition but refrained from commenting on it.
Recent Expulsions Focused on China and India
Declaring someone persona non grata allows a government, as outlined in the UN’s Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to revoke diplomatic immunity and force the individual to leave the country. Canada has previously expelled diplomats from China and India over allegations of interference.
In 2023, China’s diplomat Zhao Wei was expelled for reportedly targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong’s family. Subsequently, six Indian diplomats were expelled after the RCMP accused Indian government agents of engaging in activities against Canadian citizens, linked to a murder in British Columbia.
Recent indictments by U.S. authorities have tied Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to the assassination of an activist in Canada. The Canadian government, under Carney’s leadership, has been working to improve relations with both China and India.
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