Thousands Sign Petition Calling for US Ambassador's Expulsion From Canada
The Story
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.
The Spread
What they agree on
- Thousands of Canadians have signed an online petition calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra.
- The petition accuses Hoekstra of undermining Canada-U.S. Relations and intervening in Canadian political discourse.
- The petition calls for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and removed from Canada.
- The petition is expected to be presented in the Canadian House of Commons.
- Pete Hoekstra has made statements regarding Canada's potential annexation by the U.S.
Where they split
- The Hill reports over 60,000 signatures, while The Dallas Morning News and The Globe and Mail cite over 29,000 signatures.
- BBC News mentions the petition's concern about meetings regarding Albertan separatists, a detail not explicitly detailed in The Hill's coverage.
- The Hill and BBC News provide more extensive background on Hoekstra's past actions and statements, including his interaction with the Freedom Convoy movement and comments on "anti-American" rhetoric in Canada.