A petition signed by over 60,000 Canadians demands the expulsion of the US ambassador in Ottawa for damaging the two countries’ diplomatic ties.
Pete Hoekstra is accused in the online petition of “normalizing the Trump administration’s threats to annex Canada as the ’51st state'” of the US and of “making repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse.”
The US embassy acknowledged the petition but declined to comment more in a statement to the media.
More Than 60,000 Canadians Call for US Ambassador’s Removal
Intense trade negotiations are presently taking place between the US and Canada with the goal of reaching a deal before additional US tariffs go into force on Wednesday.
Concerns over talks in Washington between US State Department representatives and certain Albertans who support the province’s separation from Canada are also raised by the petition, which was started by a Calgary lady.
It calls for a legislative committee to examine “U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian domestic affairs” and the official removal of Ambassador Hoekstra from his position.
Hoekstra, a Republican and Trump supporter, has been an ardent supporter of US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, claiming they are intended to protect Americans’ safety and prosperity.
Additionally, he has characterized the two nations’ relationship as essential.
Why Pete Hoekstra Has Faced Criticism in Canada
Hoekstra and the trade representative for Ontario got into a heated argument, and the ambassador came under fire for reposting Trump’s remarks about Canada being the 51st state and telling reporters that there would be a “great discussion to be had” between the two nations’ leaders.
Additionally, he has called some Canadian political rhetoric “anti-American” and repeatedly voiced his displeasure with the majority of provinces’ decision to take US alcohol off shop shelves, which is a major source of contention in the present trade negotiations.
Concerns Over US Meetings With Alberta Separatists
“She has an obligation to sponsor petitions brought forward by citizens, regardless of whether she personally agrees with what the petition is asking for,” May’s office told the news in a statement.
Canadians can send petitions to the House of Commons, and there are dozens available at any given time, many of which only receive a few hundred signatures.
A petition is put on parliament’s website once it has been approved by a member of parliament. The petition must be filed by a resident of Canada.
It is submitted before the House and needs a response from the administration if it receives at least 500 legitimate signatures.
As of Wednesday morning, the petition has gained enough support to be submitted in Canada’s House of Commons.
Trump announced the proposed tariffs last month in reaction to what he called “unequal treatment” of US cars, dairy goods, and alcoholic drinks.
Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, responded by threatening more retaliation if the new tariffs were put into effect.
In the next days, Ottawa and Washington could reach a temporary arrangement, according to Canadian media.
