A Calgary woman leading a petition seeking the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has expressed surprise at the overwhelming response the petition has garnered. The online petition, with over 100,000 signatures to date, urges the Canadian government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata and request his removal from his diplomatic post.
Lee Walker, the initiator of the petition, highlighted that the significant number of signatures indicates widespread discomfort among Canadians regarding Hoekstra’s alignment with President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Canadian sovereignty. The petition accuses Hoekstra of undermining diplomatic relations between the two countries by intervening in Canadian political discussions outside the bounds of diplomatic norms.
One incident that sparked controversy was Hoekstra’s suggestion in June that discussing Canada’s annexation by the U.S. would be a valid topic for conversation between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Trump. Walker emphasized that such remarks from a diplomat carry weight and can have tangible repercussions.
The petition also calls for a review of U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian affairs by a parliamentary committee. While the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa refrained from commenting on the petition, Walker emphasized that the existing tensions in Canada-U.S. relations demonstrate the necessity of upholding Canadian sovereignty without compromise.
The petition, to be presented in the House of Commons by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, aims to provoke vital discussions on the role of diplomats and the importance of respectful international relations. May pointed out the contrasting approaches of past diplomats, like David Wilkins, and criticized Hoekstra for failing to cultivate positive relationships with Canadian officials.
Despite uncertainties about the petition’s outcome, both Walker and May underscored the significance of standing up against behavior deemed inappropriate for a diplomatic representative. Walker emphasized that dismissing such conduct should not be an option, signaling a strong stance against perceived diplomatic transgressions.