Thousands Sign Petition Calling for US Ambassador's Expulsion From Canada

More than 60,000 Canadians have signed an online petition calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, accusing him of undermining diplomatic relations and interfering in Canadian politics.

The petition, launched by a woman in Calgary, requests that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declare Hoekstra persona non grata and seeks his removal from his role. It also calls for a parliamentary committee review of "U.S. Diplomatic interference in Canadian domestic affairs." Hoekstra, a Republican and ally of President Trump, has defended U.S. trade policies and described the relationship between the two countries as critical.

He has previously faced criticism for reposting comments about Canada becoming the "51st state" and for inviting a leader of the 2022 Freedom Convoy movement to an official Fourth of July celebration. The petition is set to be presented in the House of Commons this fall by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. A persona non grata declaration, under the UN's Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, allows a country to strip diplomatic immunity and force an individual to leave.

The U.S. embassy stated it was aware of the petition but declined further comment. Canada and the U.S. are currently engaged in trade talks aiming for an agreement before new U.S. tariffs take effect next Wednesday. The petition also raises concerns about meetings in Washington between U.S. State Department officials and Albertans seeking the province's separation from Canada.