Ottawa, Canada - More than 110,000 Canadians have now signed the petition calling for the removal of President Donald Trump's controversial Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, the latest sign of deepening rifts between the neighboring countries.

The petition – which will remain open for signatures until November 18 – accuses Hoekstra of normalizing "the Trump administration's threats to annex Canada as the 51st state."

The citizen-led effort calls for him to be declared persona non grata and removed from Canada.

More than 116,000 signatories had been confirmed as of Thursday morning, according to the Canadian parliament website.

Mexico US officially renews Mexican avocado imports after security scare

After signatures close, the document will be introduced in the House of Commons by lone Green Party lawmaker Elizabeth May.

Hoekstra, a relentless defender of Trump and a former Republican congressman from Michigan, has had a volatile tenure since arriving in Ottawa in April 2025.

In June, Hoekstra said the idea would be "a great discussion" for Trump to have with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

He has also defended Trump's tariffs and criticized Canadians for referring to the president's protectionist measures as being part of a trade war.

A Globe and Mail editorial in May described Hoekstra as being "keen to channel his boss's aggressive boorishness," yet "doesn't understand why Canadians are so upset."

"The US ambassador seems to think this nation a bunch of inexplicable malcontents for reacting as it has to President Donald Trump's threats and bluster," the editorial added.