2026-08-18 · CBC | World News
🔮 Hoekstra's missteps in Canada are mild compared to some of Trump's ambassadors
U.S. administration leaves posts empty, fills others with amateurs and friends
The U.S. ambassador to Canada's behaviour has clearly rubbed many Canadians the wrong way.
Over 100,000 of them signed a House of Commons petition to declare Pete Hoekstra persona non grata — the rarely used diplomatic lever to kick an ambassador out of the country.
Jeremy Kinsman, who held important posts including ambassador to Moscow, London and the EU during his career as a Canadian diplomat, says Hoekstra's actions don't rise to the level that would normally lead to such a step.
"PNG is for egregious behaviour" such as malfeasance and direct interference in Canadian affairs, he said. assertive