Over 70,000 Canadians sign petition to expel US ambassador
More than 70,000 Canadians have signed an online petition calling for the expulsion of the United States ambassador to Ottawa, Pete Hoekstra, accusing him of undermining diplomatic relations between the two neighbours.
The petition, launched by Calgary resident Leanne Walker, alleges that Mr Hoekstra has made "repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse" and has "normalised the Trump administration's threats to annex Canada as the '51st state'". It requests his formal removal and urges a parliamentary committee to review "US diplomatic interference in Canadian domestic affairs".
The US embassy in Ottawa acknowledged it was aware of the petition but declined to comment further.
The petition comes at a time when Canada and the US are engaged in intense trade negotiations, with new American tariffs on Canadian goods scheduled to take effect next Wednesday. Washington has proposed a 50% tariff on roughly $20bn to $28bn in Canadian products, citing what President Donald Trump described as "unequal treatment" of US cars, dairy and alcohol.
Ms Walker told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that the response had surprised her. "It's beyond what I expected out of this," she said. "It tells me that it's not a fringe issue, and that a lot of Canadians are uncomfortable with how Hoekstra has been repeating Trump talking points about our sovereignty and Canada as a whole."
A Republican and a prominent ally of Mr Trump, Mr Hoekstra has been a vocal defender of the president's trade policies, saying they are designed to secure the safety and prosperity of Americans. He has described the bilateral relationship as critical, but his tenure in Ottawa has been marked by a series of controversies.
These include a public disagreement with Ontario's trade representative, the reposting of Mr Trump's remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state, and a statement to reporters that the idea would be a "great discussion to be had" by the leaders of the two countries. He also drew criticism for inviting a leader of the 2022 Freedom Convoy movement to his official Fourth of July celebration. More recently, he has labelled some Canadian political rhetoric as "anti-American" and expressed frustration over the removal of US alcohol from store shelves in most provinces, a key point of friction in the trade talks.
The petition also raises concerns about meetings held in Washington between US state department officials and some Albertans who advocate for the province to separate from Canada. It will be tabled in the House of Commons by Green Party leader Elizabeth May, whose office noted that she has an obligation to sponsor petitions brought forward by citizens, regardless of her personal views.
Under House of Commons rules, any Canadian resident can submit a petition through a member of parliament. Once authorised, it is posted on parliament's website, and if it garners at least 500 valid signatures, it is presented in the House and requires a government response. The petition surpassed that threshold on Wednesday morning, ensuring it will be formally presented.
Canadian negotiators are working urgently to avert the proposed tariffs, which Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned could trigger further retaliation from Ottawa. Canadian media have reported that an interim deal between the two countries may be reached in the coming days.
The petition's success reflects growing public discomfort with the ambassador's conduct, but its practical impact on diplomatic relations remains to be seen as both governments navigate a complex trade and political landscape. While the petition is not binding, it serves as a significant expression of public sentiment at a delicate moment in bilateral ties.
