A Calgary woman leading a campaign to remove U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra from Canada expressed surprise at the overwhelming support her petition has garnered. With over 100,000 signatures, the petition calls for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata and removed as ambassador due to his alleged interference in Canadian affairs and controversial statements.
According to the petitioner, Lee Walker, the significant response indicates widespread discomfort among Canadians regarding Hoekstra’s alignment with President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Canadian sovereignty. Walker criticized Hoekstra for his remarks, including suggesting Canada’s annexation by the U.S. as a potential discussion topic.
The petition accuses Hoekstra of jeopardizing the diplomatic relationship between Canada and the U.S. by interfering in Canadian politics and normalizing contentious statements. Walker stressed the influence of an ambassador’s words and the potential repercussions of such rhetoric.
In response, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa acknowledged the petition’s existence but declined to comment on its implications. Walker emphasized the need to uphold Canada’s sovereignty and underscored that diplomatic respect should not be negotiable.
The petition, set to be presented in Parliament by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, urges a review of U.S. diplomatic involvement in Canadian affairs. May highlighted the importance of citizen petitions, emphasizing the diplomat’s role in fostering relationships. She contrasted Hoekstra’s approach with that of a previous U.S. ambassador known for building positive rapport with Canadian officials.
Despite uncertainties about the petition’s outcome, both Walker and May see it as a platform for an essential dialogue on diplomatic conduct and national integrity. The petition’s presentation aligns with ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries, emphasizing the existing tensions in the Canada-U.S. relationship.