A petition calling for the removal of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra from his post in Canada has surpassed 104,000 signatures as of Thursday, according to multiple reports. The petition, submitted through Canada’s parliamentary petitions portal, requires a formal government response within 45 days of being presented to the House of Commons.
The petition, authored by Leanne Walker of Calgary and sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May, urges the Canadian government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata and raise concerns with the U.S. over his conduct. The effort follows criticism of Hoekstra’s statements and associations, which petitioners argue undermine diplomatic relations.
Petition Details and Requirements
The petition was published on July 21 and remains open for signatures until November 18. To trigger a government response, the petition needed only five signatures and the sponsorship of an MP. Once presented, the government is legally obligated to issue a written response within 45 days, though it is not required to act on the petition’s demands.
Key Allegations Against Hoekstra
The petition cites several reasons for Hoekstra’s removal, including his past sharing of President Donald Trump’s posts referring to Canada as the "51st state." Hoekstra has described such rhetoric as a "term of endearment" and previously stated that whether Canada could become a U.S. state is "a great discussion for the president and the prime minister to have."
Additionally, the petition raises concerns about Hoekstra’s alleged ties to an American voter ID app used by the Alberta separatist movement to identify potential referendum supporters. Hoekstra has denied knowledge of the app’s use by separatists.
Next Steps
The petition is expected to be presented to the House of Commons this fall, at which point the government will have 45 days to respond formally. While the petition’s organizers acknowledge the government is not obligated to remove Hoekstra, they hope the effort sends a message regarding diplomatic conduct.