logo
Trump thinks Canadians ‘nasty' for avoiding U.S. travel, banning booze: ambassador

Trump thinks Canadians ‘nasty' for avoiding U.S. travel, banning booze: ambassador

CTV News5 days ago
U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra delivers his speech during a Fourth of July party at Lornado, the residence of the ambassador from the United States, in Ottawa, Friday, July 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The United States ambassador to Canada says Canadians avoiding U.S. travel and banning American alcohol are among the reasons Donald Trump thinks they are 'nasty' to deal with.
Pete Hoekstra told a conference audience on Monday that such steps 'don't send positive signals' about Canada treating the U.S. well.
Hoekstra was speaking at the annual Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Foundation summit in Bellevue, Washington.
The Canadian Press was provided with a recording of the ambassador's comments by the office of B.C. Premier David Eby, which said it received the audio from someone who was in the audience.
Eby says in a statement that Hoekstra's remarks show Canadians' efforts to stand up to Trump are 'having an impact,' and he encouraged people to 'keep it up.'
A representative of Hoekstra's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ambassador made the remarks in answer to a question from a conference moderator about what could be done to get people travelling again as Vancouver and Seattle prepare to host games as part of next year's FIFA World Cup.
'Canadians staying home, that's their business, you know. I don't like it, but if that's what they want to do, it's fine. They want to ban American alcohol. That's fine,' he says.
'There are reasons why the president and some of his team referred to Canada as being mean and nasty to deal with, OK, because of some of those steps.'
Hoekstra adds that he 'can get alcohol across the border if (he) wanted to.'
'We go back and forth to Michigan and they don't check my car when I come back,' he said, drawing laughs from the crowd.
Eby's statement in response to Hoekstra's remarks says people should keep buying Canadian products and keep their vacations Canadian.
'We won't take these attacks on our jobs, our economy and our sovereignty, lying down. We'll stand strong together,' the premier says in the emailed statement.
B.C. is among the provinces that banned the sale of U.S. alcohol from government-run stores after Trump slapped steep tariffs on goods from Canada, a move that has prompted some Canadians to cancel their cross-border trips.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025.
Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The House is looking into the Epstein investigation. Here's what could happen next
The House is looking into the Epstein investigation. Here's what could happen next

Toronto Star

time10 minutes ago

  • Toronto Star

The House is looking into the Epstein investigation. Here's what could happen next

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key House committee is looking into the investigation of the late Jeffrey Epstein for sex trafficking crimes, working to subpoena President Donald Trump's Department of Justice for files in the case as well as hold a deposition of Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee acted just before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent lawmakers home early for a monthlong break from Washington. The committee's moves are evidence of the mounting pressure for disclosure in a case that Trump has unsuccessfully urged his supporters to move past. But they were also just the start of what can be a drawn out process.

Province considering annual pass to use boats in Alberta waterways
Province considering annual pass to use boats in Alberta waterways

CTV News

time40 minutes ago

  • CTV News

Province considering annual pass to use boats in Alberta waterways

The province of Alberta is considering charging people to use boats on the province's more than 600 lakes The province could soon be charging people to use boats in Alberta's waterways. Th government is considering an annual pass for boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks and other watercraft. It says all the money would go towards increasing defences against invasive mussels. The species is growing in North America, but has not established in any of Alberta's over 600 lakes. The province has launched a survey to find out how much an annual watercraft pass should cost, and how it could be applied. Albertans have until Aug. 25 to weigh in.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store