Tens of thousands of Canadian citizens have endorsed a petition urging the expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra. The online petition, scheduled for submission to the House of Commons later this year, demands that Hoekstra be declared persona non grata and seeks his removal from the diplomatic post. The petition, initiated by a resident of Calgary, criticizes Hoekstra for his statements that allegedly undermine the diplomatic ties between Canada and the United States and for his interventions in Canadian political matters that are deemed inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
As of Wednesday morning, nearly 60,000 individuals have signed the petition, with the number of signatories almost doubling within a 24-hour period. The petition also calls on the Canadian government to task a parliamentary committee with reviewing instances of U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian affairs. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is slated to present the petition in Parliament, emphasizing that MPs can table petitions without necessarily endorsing their contents.
One of the key allegations against Hoekstra mentioned in the petition is his perceived normalization of threats by the Trump administration to annex Canada. This accusation stems from Hoekstra’s public statement suggesting that the annexation of Canada by the United States could be a valid topic for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.
In response to criticism, Hoekstra defended his actions, expressing disappointment with what he perceived as an “anti-American” tone during a recent Canadian election campaign. He has also reprimanded Canadian officials for discouraging travel to the U.S. and removing American liquor from store shelves. When challenged by Canadian journalists, Hoekstra stated that his role is to convey the views of the U.S. President.
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa declined to provide detailed comments on the petition but confirmed its awareness of the situation. The petition’s call for Hoekstra’s expulsion is grounded in the concept of persona non grata, a provision within the UN’s Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations that allows a host country to revoke diplomatic immunity and expel a foreign diplomat.
In recent years, Canada has expelled diplomats from other countries, such as China and India, over allegations of interference in domestic affairs. Notably, in 2023, a Chinese diplomat was declared persona non grata for reportedly targeting a Canadian Member of Parliament. Subsequently, in 2024, Canada expelled several Indian diplomats following allegations of government involvement in activities targeting Canadian citizens and linked to a murder case. The ongoing efforts under Carney’s leadership have aimed at enhancing relations with both China and India.