Canada-US tensions rise as petition seeks to revoke Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship

Vancouver: Relations between the United States and Canada have worsened following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, with his allies, including industrialist Elon Musk, backing his policies. Among the controversial moves is a statement declaring Canada the 51st state of the US.

Protests against Musk have erupted in Canada, with NDP MP Charlie Angus urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Musk’s Canadian citizenship and passport. An e-petition, launched on February 20, calls for the same and has gathered over 249,428 signatures as of the time of publishing. The petition remains open for signatures until June 20.

The petition accuses Musk of leveraging his wealth and influence to interfere in Canadian elections under the Trump administration. It further alleges that he is working against Canada’s national interests and is now part of a foreign government undermining the country’s autonomy.

Last month, Musk made comments on Canadian politics on social media platform X, where he strongly endorsed Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and criticized Trudeau’s leadership.

The petition, titled e-5353, will be introduced in the House of Commons at the start of the new session on March 24. However, there is speculation that a general election could be called before MPs return.

While parliamentary e-petitions, introduced in 2015, can garner significant public support, they do not legally bind the government to take action. According to the House of Commons website, such petitions primarily serve to highlight public concerns and prompt government attention.

Musk, originally from South Africa, holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, who lived in Regina, Saskatchewan. He currently serves as the chief adviser to US President Trump and leads the Department of Government Efficiency, which focuses on reducing government spending.