Over 280,000 Canadians have signed a petition calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship, accusing the tech billionaire of undermining the nation’s interests, according to CNN.
The petition, initiated on February 20, asserts that Musk, who currently heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, is “aligned with a foreign government that seeks to compromise Canadian sovereignty.”
It further claims that Musk has leveraged his “wealth and power to sway Canadian elections” and has participated in actions detrimental to Canada’s interests.
Musk, recognized as the world’s richest individual, holds citizenship in South Africa, the United States, and Canada, with his Canadian citizenship derived from his mother, who was born there. Renowned for his roles at Tesla, SpaceX, and ownership of X, Musk has recently become increasingly involved in U.S politics as a close associate of Trump.
Concerns escalate amid trade and political disputes
Musk’s connections to Trump have sparked worries in Canada, particularly as the U.S President has threatened a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. This action would effectively dismantle the long-standing North American free trade agreement. Although Trump postponed the tariffs for 30 days in early February to facilitate negotiations, he announced this week that he plans to proceed with them shortly.
Furthermore, Trump has suggested implementing a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports to the United States, which would have a direct effect on the Canadian economy. Both Musk and Trump have made provocative remarks regarding Canada’s sovereignty, with Trump implying that Canada could potentially become the “51st state” of the United States, while Musk has referred to Prime Minister Trudeau as “Canada’s governor.” In response to the petition on X, Musk exacerbated tensions by asserting, “Canada is not a real country.”
What are the next steps?
The petition, initiated by New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus, will remain open for signatures until June 20. After it closes, it will be officially submitted to the Canadian Parliament, necessitating a response from the government. However, it is uncertain how the Canadian government will react. According to current Canadian law, citizenship can only be revoked in instances of serious offenses such as treason, espionage, or if an individual is found to have committed fraud or misrepresentation in their immigration or citizenship application.
