A Calgary woman leading a petition to expel U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra from Canada has been surprised by the overwhelming response. The online petition, set for presentation in the House of Commons, demands that Hoekstra be declared persona non grata and removed from his diplomatic post due to his controversial statements undermining Canadian sovereignty.
With over 100,000 signatures gathered, organizer Lee Walker stated that the significant support signifies widespread discomfort among Canadians over Hoekstra echoing Trump’s viewpoints on Canadian issues. The petition accuses Hoekstra of interfering in Canadian politics and normalizing the idea of Canada’s annexation by the U.S.
Walker emphasized the weight of Hoekstra’s position and the potential consequences of his rhetoric. The petition also calls on the government to review U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian affairs. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa has acknowledged the petition without further comment.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May will present the petition in Parliament, noting the remarkable response from Canadians. May highlighted the diplomatic role of cultivating relationships, contrasting Hoekstra’s approach with that of past ambassadors. The petition aims to emphasize the importance of respecting Canada’s sovereignty in diplomatic relations.
As Canada-U.S. trade negotiations continue, the petition signals the existing tension between the two nations. Walker hopes the petition will convey a message that such conduct from a foreign ambassador cannot be ignored. The petition’s presentation is expected to spark important discussions on diplomatic boundaries and national sovereignty.
