More than 29,000 Canadians have signed a petition calling on the federal government to expel US ambassador Pete Hoekstra from Canada.
The petition calls for US President Donald Trump’s representative in Ottawa to be declared persona non grata and for Canada to request his removal.
It accuses Hoekstra of “making repeated interventions in Canadian political discourse inconsistent with diplomatic protocol” and making statements that undermine Canada-US relations.
The petition also calls for a parliamentary committee to examine alleged US diplomatic interference in Canadian affairs.
Launched by a Calgary woman, it is expected to be presented in the House of Commons this autumn by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. MPs can present petitions without endorsing their contents.
Hoekstra has faced criticism over several comments since becoming ambassador. In June, he said Canada’s potential annexation by the US would be a “great topic of discussion” for Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump.
He has also criticised Canadian politicians over declining US travel and the removal of American alcohol from store shelves.
Responding previously to criticism of his remarks, Hoekstra said it was his job to “present the president’s views.”
The US Embassy in Ottawa told CBC News it was aware of the petition but declined further comment.
Canada has previously expelled diplomats from China and India following allegations of foreign interference.
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