Thousands of Canadians Call for US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s Expulsion Amid Growing Tensions
There’s a petition making the rounds in Canada right now, and it’s picking up steam fast. The target: U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, a former Republican congressman who Canadians increasingly see as more provocateur than diplomat. As of Thursday, August 13, the petition has crossed 104,000 signatures, according to ABC News, a number that’s climbed sharply just this month.
What’s the beef with Hoekstra?
The petition, officially known as e-7531 and backed by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, wants the Canadian government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata diplomat-speak for “you’re not welcome here anymore” and formally push for his removal. It also calls on Ottawa to look into broader concerns about U.S. meddling in Canadian domestic politics. A lot of the anger traces back to comments Hoekstra made about Canada’s 2025 federal election, which he described as “anti-American.” He’s also taken heat for the way he’s handled or amplified President Trump’s recurring jabs about Canada becoming the 51st state. To supporters of the petition, that’s not the kind of thing an ambassador should be doing. The job is supposed to be about smoothing things over between two countries, not throwing gasoline on an already tense relationship.
Will this actually get him removed?
Probably not anytime soon. A petition puts pressure on the government and legally requires some kind of official response, but it doesn’t force Ottawa’s hand. Prime Minister Mark Carney has already made his position pretty clear back in June, he said Canada would keep working with the current U.S. administration despite the 51st-state rhetoric, pointing to just how much is riding on the U.S.-Canada relationship economically and militarily. That’s really the tension at the heart of this whole story: Canadians are increasingly angry, but the government has enormous incentive to avoid a diplomatic blowup with its biggest trading partner.
Why This Goes Beyond One Ambassador
This isn’t just about one ambassador rubbing people the wrong way. It’s a symptom of how strained U.S.-Canada relations have become tariffs, sovereignty concerns, and a steady stream of comments from Washington that a lot of Canadians find disrespectful. Given how tightly the two economies are knitted together, further deterioration could mean real headaches for businesses and everyday people on both sides of the border. Worth noting: rumors have floated online that Canada already expelled Hoekstra. That’s false both in the U.S. Embassy and Global Affairs Canada confirmed back in January that he’s still in his post.
FAQ
Who is Pete Hoekstra?
U.S. Ambassador to Canada and a former Republican member of the U.S. House.
Why do people want him gone?
Comments seen as meddling in Canadian politics and amplifying “51st state” talk.
How many signatures so far?
Over 104,000 as of August 13, 2026.
Has he actually been expelled?
No, that claim was debunked.
What does “persona non grata” mean?
A formal label meaning a country no longer wants a particular diplomat on its soil.
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