A Canadian parliamentary petition calling for action against U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra has reached 275,563 validated signatures, as tensions over repeated talk of Canada becoming the 51st state continue to affect diplomatic relations.
The petition, identified as e-7531 on the House of Commons website, asks the federal government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata, request his removal from Canada and examine alleged U.S. interference in Canadian domestic affairs.
It remains open for signatures until November 18, 2026.
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What the 51st state petition says
The petition was initiated by Calgary resident Leanne Walker and is sponsored in Parliament by Green Party MP Elizabeth May, who represents Saanich—Gulf Islands in British Columbia.
Its wording alleges that Hoekstra has made public statements that undermined Canada-U.S. relations, including describing the 2025 Canadian federal election as “anti-American.”
It also accuses him of normalizing the Trump administration’s threats to annex Canada as the “51st state.”
The petition further raises questions about alleged contacts between U.S. officials and Alberta separatist groups.
Those claims are presented as matters for review and do not amount to a parliamentary finding that Hoekstra directed or approved interference.
The House of Commons record says petitioners want the government to raise the ambassador’s conduct with Washington and direct a parliamentary committee to examine possible U.S. diplomatic interference in Canadian affairs.
No formal proposal to make Canada a U.S. state
The petition does not begin a legal process for Canada to join the United States, nor does it represent a vote on Canadian sovereignty.
The 51st state language is the political backdrop cited by petitioners in their criticism of the ambassador and the Trump administration.
Canada remains a sovereign country, and any change to its constitutional status would require major legal and political steps in both countries.
The current petition instead seeks diplomatic and parliamentary action over statements and conduct that its supporters regard as unacceptable.
U.S. Congressional Record entries have documented criticism of President Donald Trump’s repeated references to Canada as a possible 51st state, while emphasizing that Canada is an independent ally.
Those records reflect political debate in Washington rather than an enacted measure to annex Canada.
Hoekstra remains the U.S. ambassador
Hoekstra remains accredited as Washington’s ambassador to Canada.
A 2026 publication from the U.S. Department of State identifies him as the U.S. ambassador in Ottawa.
The petition’s signature total does not automatically remove him from the post or require the United States to appoint a replacement.
Under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Canada could notify the United States that a diplomat is persona non grata.
The sending country would then generally be expected to recall the individual or end that person’s functions at the mission.
That is a formal government-to-government decision, separate from the House of Commons petition process.
A second petition adds context
The new campaign follows petition e-7124, which closed on June 25, 2026, with 27,119 validated signatures.
That earlier petition called for a review of Hoekstra’s conduct and possible diplomatic measures if concerns were substantiated.
Unlike the closed petition, e-7531 remains open and has attracted a substantially larger number of signatures.
The total is based on validated signatures recorded by the House of Commons rather than an independent poll of all Canadians.
The petition’s growth comes as Ottawa and Washington continue to manage disputes involving tariffs, trade, border policy, energy and continental defence.
What happens next
Once the petition closes, the House of Commons process may require the government to respond according to parliamentary petition rules.
That response would not necessarily accept the petitioners’ demands.
Any decision to request Hoekstra’s recall, declare him persona non grata or establish a parliamentary review would have to come through the appropriate Canadian government or parliamentary channels.
Until such action is announced, Hoekstra remains the U.S. ambassador in Ottawa, and the 51st state issue remains political rhetoric rather than a formal constitutional proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many signatures does the Canada 51st state petition have?
The House of Commons lists 275,563 validated signatures for petition e-7531 as of October 14, 2026.
What is the petition asking the Canadian government to do?
It asks Ottawa to consider declaring U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra persona non grata, request his removal and review alleged U.S. diplomatic interference.
Does the petition mean Canada could become the 51st U.S. state?
No. It is a request for diplomatic and parliamentary action, not a legal or constitutional process to join the United States.
Has Pete Hoekstra been removed as ambassador?
No. The U.S. Department of State continues to identify Pete Hoekstra as the ambassador to Canada.
What happens after the petition closes?
The petition may proceed through the House of Commons response process, but any diplomatic action would require a separate decision by the Canadian government.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against the official House of Commons petition records, U.S. Department of State material, Congressional Record entries and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Disclaimer: The petition contains allegations and requests for review; it does not establish that Pete Hoekstra committed diplomatic misconduct or that Canada faces an active legal process to become a U.S. state.