A Canadian town's famous warm welcome doesn't extend to US ambassador on 9/11 anniversary

September 10, 2026

The small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which famously sheltered thousands of stranded American travelers during the 9/11 attacks in 2001, is facing controversy over hosting US Ambassador Pete Hoekstra at Friday's 25th anniversary commemoration ceremonies. Many residents are demanding his invitation be withdrawn, reflecting a dramatic deterioration in US-Canada relations amid an ongoing trade war initiated after Donald Trump's return to office. The backlash stems partly from Ambassador Hoekstra's controversial statements, including his defense of Trump's "51st state" rhetoric about Canada, which has angered Canadians nationwide.

Who is affected

Residents of Gander, Newfoundland
US Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra
The town council of Gander
Canadians broadly (fewer than half now view the US as a reliable partner)
Families of the 3,000 people who died in the 9/11 attacks
The 6,000+ passengers who were stranded in Gander in 2001
British Columbia Premier David Eby
Mayor Percy Farwell of Gander

What action is being taken

The US and Canada are engaged in an ongoing trade war with tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by each side
A petition calling for Ambassador Hoekstra's expulsion is circulating in Canada (with nearly 270,000 signatures as of early September)
The town council is releasing statements defending the decision to host the ambassador
Gander is preparing to hold commemoration ceremonies on Friday

Why it matters

This situation serves as a barometer for the US-Canada relationship, which is at its lowest point in decades. The controversy is particularly significant because it involves Gander, a town that became an international symbol of Canadian-American friendship through its generous response to 9/11 and the celebrated musical "Come From Away." The dramatic reversal in public sentiment—from 83% of Canadians viewing the US as reliable in 2022 to fewer than half in 2024—demonstrates how severely the current trade dispute and diplomatic tensions have damaged the bilateral relationship. The fact that even a town synonymous with hospitality and goodwill is divided over hosting a US dignitary underscores the depth of Canadian frustration with the Trump administration's policies and rhetoric toward Canada.

What's next

Commemoration ceremonies are scheduled to take place in Gander on Friday (the 25th anniversary of 9/11) with Ambassador Hoekstra in attendance.

Read full article from source: BBC