Anger at Trump grows: 170,000 Canadians want his ambassador out

An official petition to the Canadian parliament, which has gathered more than 170,000 signatures, demands the expulsion of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra over alleged violations of sovereignty. The petition reflects a low point in relations between the two countries amid a trade war and tensions with the Trump administration. Green Party leader Elizabeth May is expected to raise the demand for debate.

An official petition submitted to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, which has gathered more than 170,000 signatures within a few weeks, calls on the government to declare US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra persona non grata and expel him from the country. The petition reflects a historic low in relations between the two allies, against the backdrop of a sharp trade war and political tensions since Donald Trump's return to the White House. Hoekstra, a former Republican congressman from Michigan, is seen as a blunt mouthpiece for the president, who has normalized his remarks about annexing Canada as the "51st state," dismissed citizens' frustrations, and undermined local sovereignty. The resentment intensified following American meetings with separatist activists from Alberta and the invitation of a right-wing activist convicted of organizing the 2022 protest convoy to his official residence for July 4th celebrations. Green Party leader Elizabeth May is expected to raise the demand for debate in the fall session. A Pew poll shows a dramatic drop in trust: only 35% of Canadians see the US as a reliable partner, compared to 82% in 2022, and a drop of more than a quarter in tourist travel. In contrast, the business community defended the ambassador, arguing that his direct style helps understand the White House's positions.