Diplomatic relations between Canada and the United States have become increasingly strained following controversy surrounding the activities of US Ambassador to Ottawa, Pete Hoekstra. Critics in Canada allege that the ambassador has interfered in the country's domestic political processes and made statements that undermine bilateral relations.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, a petition campaign has been launched in Canada demanding the ambassador's expulsion.
The organizers of the petition claim that Hoekstra has supported statements from the administration of US President Donald Trump regarding the potential integration of Canada into the United States. In a statement made in June, Hoekstra suggested that the annexation of Canada by the US could be an "interesting topic" for discussion between Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump. This remark triggered significant backlash across Canada.
Furthermore, the ambassador expressed concern at an event in Halifax regarding the use of "anti-American" rhetoric in Canadian election campaigns. Hoekstra also criticized the characterization of US tariffs on Canada as a "trade war" and addressed calls by Canadian politicians to avoid travel to the US, as well as boycott campaigns against American products. These actions have been widely viewed in Canada as an inappropriate intervention that violates standard diplomatic protocol.
Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, is preparing to raise the issue in parliament. The proposed document demands that the Liberal Party government declare Hoekstra a "persona non grata" and expel him from the country. Additionally, the document proposes the creation of a special parliamentary committee to investigate potential US diplomatic interference in Canadian politics.
It is worth noting that the Canadian government has previously expelled diplomats amid allegations of foreign interference. In 2023, Chinese diplomat Zhao Wei was expelled, and in 2024, six Indian diplomats were required to leave the country. Observers suggest that the scandal surrounding the ambassador could further deepen the recent political and trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
