Story perspectives

170,000-Signature Petition Seeks Hoekstra Persona Non Grata

8/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

A petition of 170,000 signatures filed July 21 seeks to declare U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra persona non grata.
Elizabeth May will table the petition this fall, which accuses Hoekstra of undermining ties and interfering in Canadian politics and calls for a committee to investigate interference.
The Embassy said it is aware but gave no comment, while a Pew poll shows 35% of Canadians view United States as a partner.

History

Historical Context

In 1979, the United States expelled Soviet diplomat Anatoly Dobrynin following Moscow’s expulsion of ten American officials, intensifying Cold War diplomatic friction. The State Department recorded that 35% of Canadians surveyed by Pew Research in 2022 viewed the United States as a partner, reflecting lingering distrust. Today, a petition with 170,000 signatures urges Canadian Parliament, led by Elizabeth May, to declare U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra persona non grata, echoing past expulsions. If granted, the move could strain bilateral trade, prompting Ottawa to reassess security cooperation and potentially inspire similar petitions across allied nations.

1 of 2

Story summary

A petition of 170,000 signatures filed July 21 seeks to declare U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra persona non grata.
Elizabeth May will table the petition this fall, which accuses Hoekstra of undermining ties and interfering in Canadian politics and calls for a committee to investigate interference.
The Embassy said it is aware but gave no comment, while a Pew poll shows 35% of Canadians view United States as a partner.

1 / 2