Gander, N.L., defends invitation to U.S. ambassador Hoekstra to 9/11 commemoration

The Town of Gander, in Newfoundland and Labrador, has defended its invitation to U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to attend a 9/11 commemoration event, stating that the invitation was based on protocol rather than endorsing Hoekstra's political views. Gander's town council explained that the town's 9/11 story revolves around people coming together, rather than political differences between Canada and the United States.

The 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the U.S. prompted Hoekstra's attendance at the ceremony in Gander. Hoekstra has faced criticism for his stance on U.S. tariffs and comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state under President Donald Trump. Despite the online backlash and a petition signed by tens of thousands of Canadians asking the federal government to remove Hoekstra as ambassador, the town council emphasized that the focus should remain on the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks and the humanity displayed by the people of Gander 25 years ago.