According to a report by The New York Times on August 17, as relations between the United States and Canada continue to deteriorate due to trade tensions and diplomatic disputes, Canadian citizens launched a petition last month demanding the expulsion of U.S. Ambassador Peter Hunekstler in Canada.
According to data from the website of the House of Commons in Canada, as of August 17, more than 200,000 Canadians have signed the petition.
The petition states that Huckstella has repeatedly made public statements that undermine relations between Canada and the United States, including qualifying the 2025 Canadian federal elections as “anti-American”. The petition also claims that Huckstella has normalized the statements of the Trump administration threatening to annex Canada and turn it into the United States’ “51st state”.
The New York Times states that Hucksteer shared Trump's remarks about the '51st state' on social media, and called the Canadians' anger over such remarks 'emotional' and unreasonable.
The petition also stated that Huxstera interfered in Canadian internal affairs in a manner that “did not conform to diplomatic practice.” The far-right separatist group advocating for independence of Alberta, “Alberta Prosperity Plan,” met with three officials from the U.S. State Department between April 2025 and January 2026. Huxstera claimed to be unaware of these meetings, which has led to serious doubts about U.S. diplomatic interference in Canada’s national unity.
The petition demands that the Canadian government officially declare Hukestra an “unwelcome person” and remove him from his position as Canadian ambassador to the United States. Additionally, negotiations should be conducted with the United States regarding a series of actions by Hukestra that violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The petition also demands that the Canadian government appoint a congressional committee to review the situation of U.S. diplomatic interference in Canada’s internal affairs.
This petition was initiated by a citizen from Calgary on July 21th, and was presented to Parliament by Elizabeth May, the leader of the Canadian Green Party.
According to Canadian law, an online petition can be submitted for discussion in Congress if it receives 500 signatures.
Canadian lawyer Barry Appleton pointed out that although this petition has no legal effect, it can be regarded as a ‘thermometer’ of Canadian public opinion. ‘It tells Americans how angry ordinary Canadians are.’
This petition represents a concentrated expression of public dissatisfaction with Hookstra over several months, and it also reflects the rapid deterioration of the overall American perception among Canadians.
A survey released by the Pew Research Center in June showed that only 35% of Canadians consider the United States to be a reliable partner, a significant decline from 82% in 2022. Over the past year, the number of Canadians who traveled to the US for leisure has decreased by more than a quarter.
