A petition calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has gained traction among Canadian critics who are rattled by the diplomat's unapologetic defense of American sovereignty and trade interests.
The petition, which has garnered over 70,000 signatures, accuses Hoekstra of 'interfering' in Canadian affairs—a charge leveled largely because the ambassador has refused to shy away from the Trump administration's firm stance on trade and national security.
Hoekstra, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, has been a vocal proponent of policies designed to protect American workers, including the push for fair trade terms regarding cars, dairy, and alcohol.
His tenure has been marked by a refusal to kowtow to local political sensibilities, including his decision to host a leader of the 2022 Freedom Convoy at an official event and his blunt criticism of Canadian rhetoric he deemed 'anti-American.' The petition, which will be tabled in parliament by Green Party leader Elizabeth May, comes at a critical juncture as the two nations scramble to negotiate a deal to avoid massive U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
While critics claim the ambassador is undermining diplomatic norms, his supporters see a representative who is finally putting American prosperity and security first, rather than playing the role of a passive bureaucrat.
The U.S. embassy has declined to comment on the petition, which is being used by domestic Canadian agitators to stir up resentment during high-stakes trade negotiations.
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