A petition initiated by a woman from Calgary, Lee Walker, is gaining significant traction, calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra from Canada. The online petition, which has garnered over 100,000 signatures and is scheduled to be presented in the House of Commons, asserts that Hoekstra should be declared persona non grata and removed from his position as the U.S. ambassador to Canada.
According to Walker, the overwhelming response to the petition indicates widespread discomfort among Canadians with Hoekstra’s alignment with President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Canadian sovereignty. The petition accuses Hoekstra of undermining diplomatic relations between Canada and the U.S. by interfering in Canadian political discussions in a manner inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
Specifically, the petition highlights Hoekstra’s comments suggesting the possibility of Canada’s annexation by the United States as a topic for discussion, which Walker deems inappropriate for an ambassador. She emphasizes the weight of such statements and their potential real-world consequences.
Additionally, the petition calls on the Liberal government to investigate U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian affairs through a parliamentary committee. While the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has acknowledged the petition, it declined to comment on the matter.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is set to present the petition in Parliament during the fall session. May expressed amazement at the public response to the petition, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement in raising concerns to elected officials. She contrasted Hoekstra’s approach with that of past ambassadors who focused on relationship-building, underscoring the need for diplomatic tact in such roles.
As trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. continue, Walker believes that the petition underscores the importance of respecting Canada’s sovereignty and sends a message that inappropriate behavior by foreign diplomats will not be disregarded. The petition serves as a platform for Canadians to express their solidarity and uphold their stance against perceived diplomatic transgressions.