Thousands seek expulsion of U.S. ambassador from Canada accused of interfering in local politics

A growing wave of Canadian frustration with the United States has led to a diplomatic standoff, with over 170,000 Canadians signing a petition calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Signatories accuse him of interfering in Canadian domestic politics and exacerbating the already strained relationship between the two countries.

The petition, submitted to Parliament by a Calgary resident, requests that Hoekstra be declared "persona non grata" under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It also calls for a legislative commission to investigate alleged U.S. interference in Canada's internal affairs. The initiative significantly surpasses the 500 signatures needed for parliamentary consideration and is expected to be debated in the fall.

Hoekstra, a former Republican congressman and a staunch supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has become a focal point for Canadian discontent amid an ongoing trade dispute. Promoters of the petition accuse him of "normalizing" Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, citing his reposting of provocative statements on social media and his characterization of Canadian reactions as "emotional."

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Further controversy surrounds Hoekstra's meetings with activists in Alberta who advocate for the province's separation from Canada. These gatherings, according to the petition, raise "serious questions" about potential U.S. diplomatic interference aimed at undermining Canadian unity. His earlier decision to invite Tamara Lich, a key organizer of the 2022 "Freedom Convoy" protests, to the ambassador's residence also sparked public outcry.

The widespread distrust of Hoekstra mirrors a broader decline in the U.S. image within Canada. A Pew survey from June indicated that only 35% of Canadians view Washington as a reliable partner, a sharp drop from 82% in 2022. This growing distance has tangible economic and social consequences, including a more than 25% decrease in recreational travel by Canadians to the U.S. and calls for boycotts of American products. While the expulsion of a U.S. ambassador would be unprecedented in Canada, business representatives have noted Hoekstra's engagement with the business community.

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