(MENAFN) Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called on the US ambassador to Canada to issue an apology after a profanity-laced tirade during a high-profile event in Ottawa earlier this week.

Ford described Ambassador Pete Hoekstra’s behavior as “unacceptable” and “unbecoming of an ambassador,” after the incident occurred Monday at the annual Canadian American Business Council gala, held at the National Gallery of Canada and attended by around 200 guests.

According to reports, the confrontation was triggered by an anti-tariff advertisement launched by Ontario over the weekend on American television networks. The campaign, costing about CAN$75 million, reportedly gained more than 11 billion impressions through media coverage and social platforms.

Hoekstra’s anger was allegedly directed toward David Paterson, Ontario’s trade representative in Washington, who was present at the event. Reports indicated that US President Donald Trump was displeased with the advertisement and subsequently cancelled trade discussions with Canada.

Witnesses said Hoekstra “insulted” and “swore” at Paterson during the exchange, while Paterson remained composed. The incident reportedly included the use of the F-word and quickly became a topic of discussion among political and business figures in both Ottawa and Washington.

The gala, attended by prominent politicians and corporate leaders, also featured Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ford defended Paterson and urged Hoekstra to make amends. “Dave is my champion,” the premier said in a YouTube video. “People get hot. They get pretty heated. I get heated sometimes, but you just gotta call the guy (Paterson) up and bury the hatchet.”

“Call the guy up and apologize,” Ford added.

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