100,000 sign petition to declare US ambassador to Canada persona non grata
100 000 Sign Petition to Declare U.S. Ambassador Persona Non Grata
Tyunews.com – LONDON — A growing movement has emerged across Canada as citizens rally against U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. The petition to declare Hoekstra “persona non grata” and remove him from his diplomatic post has now surpassed 104,000 signatures as of Thursday. This significant milestone demonstrates widespread public concern about the ambassador’s conduct and relationship with Canadian sovereignty.
The petition was launched on Canada’s parliamentary petitions portal, a platform where citizens and residents can formally present concerns to their government. Under Canadian parliamentary rules, any petition that receives at least five signatures and has a member of parliament (MP) willing to sponsor it must receive a formal written government response within 45 days. The petition calling for Hoekstra’s removal was submitted by Leanne Walker of Calgary and is sponsored by Green Party MP Elizabeth May.
Grounds for Diplomatic Concern
The petition outlines several specific concerns regarding Hoekstra’s behavior. It calls on the Canadian government to not only remove Hoekstra from his position but also to raise with the United States “the pattern of conduct by Ambassador Hoekstra inconsistent with the Vienna convention on Diplomatic Relations.” According to the petitioner, Hoekstra has been accused of normalizing President Donald Trump’s administration threats to annex Canada as the “51st state.” The ambassador has previously described such rhetoric as a “term of endearment.”
“That’s a great discussion for the president and the prime minister to have,” Hoekstra said when asked in June if Canada was indeed an additional American state.
Hoekstra has in the past shared Trump’s posts referring to Canada as the 51st state. The petition also raises concerns about Hoekstra’s links to an American voter ID app which has been used by the Alberta separatist movement to identify names and addresses of potential referendum supporters. Hoekstra has denied knowing the app was being used by the separatists.
Public Response and Next Steps
The petition, which was published on July 21 and remains open for signatures until November 18, gained considerable momentum this week. In fewer than two days, the petition nearly tripled in signatures, showing strong public engagement. The author of the petition spoke with Canadian national broadcaster CBC News on Wednesday, noting that the response has been larger than she expected.
Walker said she doesn’t necessarily expect the government to expel Hoekstra, “but hopes the petition will send a message.” The timing of this petition comes amid broader discussions about U.S.-Canada relations, including recent trade disputes and diplomatic tensions. As the petition continues to gather support, Canadians are watching closely to see how their government responds to this call for diplomatic action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “persona non grata” mean? This Latin phrase means “unwelcome person.” When a country declares a foreign diplomat persona non grata, it is essentially asking that diplomat to leave. While not always resulting in immediate expulsion, it signals serious diplomatic concern.
How does Canada’s parliamentary petition system work? Canadian citizens and residents can submit petitions through the official parliamentary portal. Once a petition receives five signatures and an MP sponsors it, the government must provide a formal written response within 45 days.
What are the main concerns about Ambassador Hoekstra? The petition cites Hoekstra’s normalization of Trump’s “51st state” rhetoric, his comments suggesting Canada could become an American state, and his connection to an app used by Alberta separatists.
When does the petition close? The petition remains open for signatures until November 18, giving Canadians additional time to add their support.
