170,000 Canadians Demand US Ambassador's Removal
A petition to expel US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has gained over 171,000 signatures, exceeding the 500 needed for a formal presentation in the House of Commons, amid rising tensions between the two countries
A Canadian petition to expel US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has gained over 171,000 signatures, far exceeding the 500 required for a formal presentation in the House of Commons. The petition, submitted on July 21 by Calgary resident Leanne Walker, accuses Hoekstra of making public statements that undermine Canada-US diplomatic relations.
The petition calls for the Canadian government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata and request his removal as US Ambassador to Canada. It also demands an investigation into US diplomatic interference in Canadian domestic affairs. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is expected to bring the matter forward for parliamentary debate when lawmakers return this fall.
The petition's accusations against Hoekstra include his defense of President Donald Trump's pledge to make Canada the 51st US state, as well as his remarks accusing Canadian officials of seeking to interfere in US elections. Hoekstra has also been criticized for his reported ties to the founder of an application used by separatists in Calgary.
The decline in relations between Canada and the US is reflected in a recent Pew survey, which found that only 35 percent of Canadians view the US as a reliable partner, down from 82 percent in 2022. Additionally, Canadian leisure travel to the US has dropped by more than a quarter over the last year, and Canadian consumers have increasingly turned away from American products.
## Why it matters The petition and the declining relations between Canada and the US have significant implications for the two countries' economic and diplomatic ties. The tensions have already led to a decline in trade and tourism, and a further escalation could have far-reaching consequences for both countries. The Canadian government's response to the petition will be closely watched, and the parliamentary debate on the matter is expected to be highly contentious.
## What happens next The federal government is required to lay a formal response to the petition on the table within 45 calendar days of its presentation. The outcome of the parliamentary debate and the government's response will determine the future of Hoekstra's tenure as US Ambassador to Canada and the trajectory of Canada-US relations. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the two countries will navigate their increasingly strained relationship.
