A petition calling on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to strip Elon Musk of his Canadian citizenship has gained more than 280,000 signatures. The parliamentary petition accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interest and threatening the country’s sovereignty. It alleges that Musk, who currently serves as the head of United States President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, is supporting a foreign government’s attempt to undermine Canada’s independence. The petition also claims Musk is using his immense wealth and influence to interfere in Canadian elections.
Musk, known globally as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the owner of the social media platform X, holds citizenship in South Africa, the United States, and Canada. He obtained Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in Canada. While Musk’s business ventures have made him the world’s richest man, his deepening involvement in U.S. politics has sparked controversy across the border.
The billionaire’s close association with Trump has drawn concern in Canada, especially as Trump threatens major policy changes affecting the country. Trump recently proposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, a move that could dismantle the long-standing free trade agreement between the three countries. Although the tariffs have been temporarily paused for 30 days to allow negotiations, Trump indicated that he plans to proceed with the measures in the coming week. This proposal, along with threats to impose similar tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, has heightened tensions between Washington and Ottawa.
Musk has further fueled controversy by making inflammatory remarks about Canada’s status. Both he and Trump have suggested that Canada could become the “51st state” of the United States. In response to the growing petition, Musk mocked the idea of Canadian sovereignty, posting on X that “Canada is not a real country.” Such comments have intensified public backlash and added momentum to the petition’s rapid growth.
The petition, which was launched on February 20, is sponsored by New Democratic Party Member of Parliament Charlie Angus. It will remain open until June 20, after which it will be presented to Parliament for an official response from the government. While the petition reflects widespread public dissatisfaction, it remains unclear how the Canadian government will react.
Canadian law outlines strict conditions under which citizenship can be revoked. These include cases involving serious crimes like treason and espionage, or instances where individuals commit fraud or provide false information during their citizenship application process. Whether Musk’s actions meet the legal threshold for revocation remains uncertain, and the government has yet to indicate its stance on the matter.
As public pressure continues to build, the petition highlights growing concerns over foreign influence and the future of Canada’s sovereignty. Musk’s involvement with Trump’s administration and his dismissive comments about Canada have only intensified these concerns. With the petition heading for parliamentary review, all eyes will be on Ottawa to see whether the government takes action against one of the world’s most powerful and controversial figures.
