A petition demanding the revocation of Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship has rapidly gained traction, with hundreds of thousands of Canadians signing within days. The petition, launched on February 20, 2025, accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interests and allegedly influencing its elections. This controversy emerges against the backdrop of rising tensions between the U.S. and Canada, especially after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s provocative remarks about Canada’s sovereignty.
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was born in South Africa but holds dual citizenship due to his mother’s birth in Saskatchewan. The petition reflects significant public discontent with Musk’s political influence, as it has amassed over 250,000 signatures since its inception, calling for action against Musk’s alleged manipulation of Canadian elections.
The document, initiated by British Columbia-based author Qualia Reed and endorsed by New Democrat Member of Parliament (MP) Charlie Angus, states, "Elon Musk has engaged in activities...against the national interest of Canada." It criticizes Musk for using his wealth and power to impact elections and aligning with foreign governmental interests, echoing concerns amid Trump's return to political prominence, where he has suggested Canada could become the 51st U.S. state.
Public and governmental reactions to Musk’s actions and the petition have highlighted growing tensions between the two nations. Trump has proposed heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and has raised concerns over Canadian sovereignty during his recent statements. Musk's previous support for Trump, especially on immigration policies, has made him the target of backlash, as Canadians react vigorously to perceived foreign influence on their democratic processes.
Legal experts, including Rémi Larivière from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, have reiterated the limitations under Canadian law governing citizenship revocation. "A person's citizenship can be revoked if they obtained their citizenship by false representation or fraud," Larivière stated. Given Musk’s citizenship was granted at birth, there is currently no legal precedent to revoke it, rendering the petition largely symbolic.
Despite its lack of legal grounding, the petition highlights the emotional and national identity issues Canadians face. With over 96,000 signatures from Ontario alone, the petition has become one of the most signed within the history of the House of Commons. The record number of signatures for e-petitions is 387,487, indicating the increasing interest and involvement of the public in national matters.
Musk's response to the petition was dismissive at best; he posted on X, stating, "Canada is not a real country," before deleting it amid backlash. Such remarks have only added fuel to the fire, solidifying public sentiment against him. Anger among Canadian citizens reflects broader concerns about American influence—canadians are reportedly boycotting U.S. products and expressing their frustrations at sporting events.
Angus notes, "I wasn’t expecting...this is a real symbol of this moment," reflecting on the petition's explosive response. His calls for investigation by Elections Canada to examine Musk's potential influence on the upcoming elections reveal the broader unease within Canadian politics over foreign meddling.
Musk’s connection to Canada dates back to his immigrant years. He moved to Canada from South Africa at just 17, later becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. Throughout the years, he has celebrated his Canadian ties, including posting pictures expressing his pride and showcasing Canadian figures like astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This duality complicates his citizenship discussion, as he balances patriotic sentiments with the accusations leveled against him.
Predictably, this controversy is poised to linger, especially if the current political atmosphere shifts with anticipated elections. Public sentiment may lead to legislative discussions about citizenship laws should calls for foreign influence and national identity remain fervent.
With the Canadian government under pressure from constituents demanding accountability from figures like Musk, the fate of the petition may lead to broader scrutiny of how Canada navigates the complex waters of citizenship rights and foreign influence. While the immediate impact of the petition may be minimal, it encapsulates the nuanced relationship between national identity, citizenship, and the influence of wealth on political processes.