More Than 60,000 Canadians Sign Petition to Expel US Ambassador
Over 60,000 people in Canada have signed a petition calling for the removal of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra over alleged interference in domestic politics, as the two countries hold tense trade talks.
An online petition demanding the expulsion of US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has gathered more than 60,000 signatures. It accuses him of repeatedly intervening in Canadian political debate and helping normalise rhetoric from the Trump administration about Canada becoming the "51st state" of the United States.
The US embassy told the BBC it was aware of the petition but declined further comment. The campaign emerged as Canada and the US conduct intense trade negotiations ahead of new US tariffs due to take effect next Wednesday.
Concerns over interference and separatism
The petition was launched by a woman from Calgary and also raises concern about meetings in Washington between US State Department officials and Albertans who favour the province separating from Canada. It calls for Hoekstra's formal removal and asks a parliamentary committee to examine US diplomatic interference in Canada's internal affairs.
Hoekstra, a Republican and Trump ally, has strongly defended the president's trade policies, arguing they aim to protect American safety and prosperity. His tenure has nonetheless proven contentious, including a clash with Ontario's trade representative, criticism for amplifying Trump's talk of a 51st state, and backlash after inviting a leader of the 2022 Freedom Convoy movement to the embassy's Fourth of July celebration.
Petition heading to parliament
Green Party leader Elizabeth May is set to table the petition in parliament later this year. Her office said she is obligated to sponsor citizen petitions regardless of her personal views. The petition has already exceeded the 500-signature threshold required for presentation in the House of Commons, which obliges a government response.
The controversy comes as Canadian negotiators race to avert a proposed 50% US tariff on roughly $20bn to $28bn worth of Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned further retaliation remains possible if the tariffs take effect, though Canadian media report an interim deal could be reached within days.
