Tens of thousands of Canadian citizens have joined a petition demanding the expulsion of Pete Hoekstra, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, as reported in a recent online campaign. The petition, soon to be presented in the House of Commons, advocates for Hoekstra to be labeled persona non grata and for the Canadian government to seek his removal from the diplomatic post.
The petition, initiated by a resident of Calgary, highlights concerns over Hoekstra’s statements that are seen as undermining the diplomatic ties between Canada and the U.S. It alleges that Hoekstra has interfered in Canadian politics in ways that do not align with diplomatic norms. The document also urges the Liberal government to task a parliamentary committee with investigating U.S. interference in Canadian affairs.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is set to present the petition in Parliament, emphasizing that Members of Parliament can table petitions without necessarily endorsing the content. The petition further criticizes Hoekstra for seemingly normalizing the idea of the U.S. annexing Canada, referencing a controversial statement he made regarding annexation discussions between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump.
Hoekstra’s public remarks have sparked controversy in the past, such as his comments on the anti-American rhetoric during Canada’s previous election campaign and his disapproval of how Canadian leaders characterized the U.S. tariff policies. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has acknowledged the petition, but declined to provide further comments on the matter.
A persona non grata declaration, as allowed under the UN’s Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, could potentially strip Hoekstra of his diplomatic immunity and compel him to leave Canada. Notably, recent expulsions by Canada targeted diplomats from China and India over allegations of foreign interference.
In 2023, China’s Zhao Wei was declared persona non grata for reportedly targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong’s family. Subsequently, six Indian diplomats and consular officials were expelled in connection to alleged activities targeting Canadian citizens, including the case of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder in British Columbia. Recent U.S. indictments have implicated Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in Nijjar’s assassination, highlighting complex international dynamics.
The petition to remove Hoekstra reflects a growing sentiment among Canadians regarding diplomatic conduct and foreign relations, with potential implications for the ongoing Canada-U.S. dialogue.