A significant movement is underway in Canada demanding the expulsion of U. S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. As of August 16, 2026, a petition urging Hoekstra's removal has amassed over 170,000 signatures, far surpassing the threshold for presentation in the House of Commons. The petition, launched by Calgary resident Leanne Walker and supported by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, cites concerns over Hoekstra's statements and conduct, which critics argue undermine Canada-U. S. relations and constitute interference in Canadian political discourse.
Hoekstra, who arrived in Ottawa in April 2025, has been a vocal defender of President Donald Trump and has frequently echoed rhetoric that suggests Canada could become the "51st state" of the U. S.. This, coupled with an escalating trade dispute and significant U. S. tariffs on Canadian goods, has fueled widespread resentment. The petition specifically accuses Hoekstra of normalizing the Trump administration's threats to annex Canada. His comments, such as suggesting that the idea of the U. S. annexing Canada would be a "great discussion" for Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney, have been particularly contentious.
Furthermore, Hoekstra has reportedly made repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse inconsistent with diplomatic protocol. He has also drawn criticism for defending the Trump administration's tariffs, which Canadians have largely viewed as a trade war, and for expressing frustration with perceived "anti-American" tones in Canadian politics. The petition calls for Hoekstra to be declared persona non grata, a designation that would strip him of diplomatic immunity and require his removal from the country. The growing number of signatures indicates a deep-seated discomfort among many Canadians with the current state of diplomatic relations and the ambassador's perceived role in it.
