Muhammad Amanullah | August 13, 2026
The True Post (News Desk) — An online petition calling for the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has gained significant public support, with more than 70,000 Canadians signing it by Wednesday evening.
The number of signatures has nearly doubled within just 24 hours, highlighting the growing attention surrounding the petition and its demands.
The petition is expected to be presented in Canada’s House of Commons this fall. It calls on the Canadian government to declare U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra “persona non grata” and request that the United States recall him from his diplomatic post in Canada.
Unexpected Public Support
The petition was launched by Calgary resident Leigh Walker, who said she did not expect the campaign to attract such a high level of support.
Walker said the rapid increase in signatures shows that the issue is not limited to a small group but has become a concern for a significant number of Canadians.
According to Walker, many Canadians are unhappy with what they see as the U.S. ambassador repeatedly echoing President Donald Trump’s positions and statements concerning Canada and its sovereignty.
Allegations Against the Ambassador
The petition alleges that some of Hoekstra’s public statements have harmed diplomatic relations between Canada and the United States.
It also claims that the ambassador has repeatedly become involved in Canadian political matters in ways that the petition organizers believe are inconsistent with diplomatic protocol.
Walker argues that statements made by an ambassador carry greater significance than ordinary political commentary and can have broader consequences for relations between countries.
Controversy Over Comments About Canada Joining the U.S.
Hoekstra has previously faced criticism over comments concerning the possibility of Canada becoming part of the United States.
In June, he attracted significant attention after suggesting that Canada becoming part of the United States could be a good topic of discussion between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Walker described such comments as inappropriate, arguing that presenting such ideas as normal diplomatic discussion could have serious implications for Canada’s sovereignty.
Disagreement Over the Trade War
The U.S. ambassador has also criticized Canadian political leaders for describing the Trump administration’s tariff policies as a “trade war.”
Hoekstra said it was dangerous for Canadian politicians to characterize U.S. tariff measures in those terms.
He has also criticized Canadian politicians who encouraged citizens to reduce travel to the United States or avoid American products in response to U.S. tariffs. Measures taken by Canadian provinces to remove American alcohol from government-operated liquor stores have also been among the issues he has objected to.
Petition Calls for Parliamentary Review
The petition goes beyond calling for action against the U.S. ambassador. It also calls for the creation of a parliamentary committee to examine alleged U.S. diplomatic interference in Canada.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa declined to provide detailed comments on the petition but confirmed that the embassy is aware of it.
The growing popularity of the petition comes at a sensitive time in Canada-U.S. relations, with the two countries engaged in difficult trade negotiations.
Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Continue
Canadian and U.S. officials have been holding ongoing negotiations aimed at reaching a potential trade agreement.
Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has made several trips to Washington for meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The talks are aimed at establishing a possible path toward a trade agreement that could be presented to President Trump.
Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on hundreds of Canadian goods starting August 19, while various tariffs are already in place on certain sectors.
“The Turmoil Is Already There”
Walker said the controversy surrounding the petition should not be viewed as creating a new dispute between Canada and the United States, but rather as reflecting tensions that already exist between the two countries.
She said the purpose of the campaign is to make clear that respect for Canada and its sovereignty should not be treated as a subject for negotiation or bargaining.
Petition to Reach Parliament This Fall
The petition will be presented in Parliament this fall by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. However, presenting a petition in Parliament does not necessarily mean that the member presenting it supports all of its demands.
Walker said she does not necessarily expect the Canadian government to take the step of declaring Hoekstra “persona non grata.”
However, she said she wants the petition to send a clear message to the Canadian government and U.S. diplomats that this type of conduct by a sitting ambassador should not simply be ignored.
