Toronto, Canada (EFE).- Tens of thousands of Canadians signed a parliamentary petition requesting the expulsion of the United States Ambassador Pete Hoekstra.
The petition cites several reasons, including his «normalization» of threats by US President Donald Trump regarding the potential annexation of the country.
As of Wednesday, the petition has garnered the support of over 70,000 people. The signature collection period is set to close on Nov. 18.
Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, is expected to formally present the petition to the House of Commons for government consideration.
The text of the petition claimed that Hoekstra has made numerous statements «undermining» diplomatic relations between the two nations, including labeling Canada’s 2025 general elections as «anti-American,» and alleges that he has interfered in domestic Canadian politics.
In June, Hoekstra sparked backlash after stating that the annexation of Canada would be a «a great discussion» between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump.
The petition further links the US diplomat to a nascent separatist movement in the province of Alberta.
«Ambassador Hoekstra has been linked to a Michigan-based voter identification app used by the Alberta separatist Centurion Project, while claiming no knowledge of its use,» the petition explained.
The request urged the Canadian government to declare the ambassador «persona non grata» and demand his removal. It also asks the government to formally state to the US that Hoekstra’s conduct is inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and to commission a parliamentary committee to «review» possible interference in Canadian domestic affairs.
Hoekstra has defended his actions in Canada, noting that his job is to represent the US president’s views. EFE
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