Key facts
- More than 60,000 Canadians have signed a petition demanding the expulsion of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra.
- The petition alleges Hoekstra has interfered in Canadian political discourse and normalized threats of annexing Canada.
- Hoekstra, a Republican and ally of Donald Trump, has defended US trade policies and described the bilateral relationship as critical.
- The petition will be presented in the Canadian House of Commons.
- The situation unfolds amid urgent trade talks between Canada and the US to avert new American tariffs.
Thousands of Canadians are calling for the expulsion of the US ambassador to Ottawa, Pete Hoekstra, with over 60,000 signatures on a petition accusing him of undermining diplomatic relations. The online petition alleges that Hoekstra has made repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse and normalized threats from the Trump administration to annex Canada as the "51st state."
Hoekstra, a Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, has been a vocal defender of US trade policies, which he states are designed to ensure American safety and prosperity. His tenure in Canada has seen notable incidents, including inviting a leader of the 2022 Freedom Convoy movement to an official Fourth of July celebration and frequently expressing frustration over the removal of US alcohol from Canadian store shelves. He has also characterized some Canadian political rhetoric as "anti-American."
The petition, which will be presented in the Canadian House of Commons later this year by Green Party leader Elizabeth May, has garnered significant support, exceeding the 500-signature threshold for parliamentary review. This development occurs during a critical period of trade negotiations between Canada and the United States, as both countries aim to reach an agreement before new American tariffs on approximately $20 billion to $28 billion in Canadian goods are set to take effect next Wednesday. These tariffs were announced by Trump in retaliation for what he described as "unequal treatment" of U.S. cars, dairy, and alcohol. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned of potential retaliatory measures if the tariffs are enforced, with reports suggesting an interim deal could be reached soon.