Canadian petition to expel US ambassador surpasses 170,000 signatures
Green Party-backed petition cites persona non grata declaration and Vienna Convention violations as US-Canada relations deteriorate under new tariff regimes.
An official petition before Canada’s House of Commons calling for the expulsion of US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has surpassed 171,000 signatures. The initiative, authorised by Green Party leader Elizabeth May and initiated by Calgary resident Leanne Walker, has cleared the 500-signature threshold required for parliamentary discussion. Under Canadian legislative procedure, the House must now provide an official government response within 45 days of the petition’s introduction on July 21.
The petition accuses Hoekstra of repeatedly making public statements that undermine Canada-US diplomatic relations. Specific grievances include his defence of President Donald Trump’s pledge to make Canada the “51st” US state and his accusation that Canadian officials sought to interfere in US elections. These remarks followed Ontario-funded advertisements criticising Trump’s tariff policies, which Hoekstra warned would have consequences.
The document demands that the House of Commons formally declare Hoekstra persona non grata and request his removal. It also calls for cross-border talks regarding a pattern of conduct inconsistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Additionally, the petition requests that a parliamentary committee review US diplomatic interference in Canadian domestic affairs, citing reported ties between Hoekstra and the founder of an application used by separatists in Calgary.
The surge in support reflects broader institutional friction between the two nations. In July, Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on certain Canadian goods, citing discriminatory trade treatment. This followed a dispute over the Gordie Howe International Bridge, where Canada cancelled a celebration ceremony after Trump pushed for a greater US stake in the infrastructure project. Trump also threatened further tariffs in response to Canadian wildfires.
Public sentiment data underscores the political weight of the petition. A Pew Research survey from June 2026 indicates a sharp decline in Canadian trust in the US, with reliable partner ratings dropping from 83 percent in 2022 to 35 percent in 2026. While the petition is non-binding, its scale highlights entrenched discontent with US policy direction in the Western Hemisphere.
