Should Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship be revoked? Viral petition says ‘Yes’

A petition demanding the revocation of Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship has rapidly gained traction, with hundreds of thousands of Canadians signing in just a few days. The petition, launched on February 20, 2025, accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interests and allegedly influencing its elections. The controversy emerges against a backdrop of rising tensions between the US and Canada, particularly after former US President Donald Trump’s recent return to politics and his provocative statements regarding Canada’s sovereignty.

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was born in South Africa and holds both Canadian and US citizenship. His Canadian citizenship, granted through his mother’s birth in Saskatchewan, has now come under public scrutiny. The petition, despite being largely symbolic and lacking direct legal consequences, reflects a broader public outcry against Musk’s political influence and recent statements regarding Canada. As signatures continue to mount, the movement has sparked a wider debate on national identity, foreign influence, and citizenship laws.

Why thousands of Canadians want Elon Musk’s citizenship revoked
The petition, which has amassed over 250,000 signatures within days, was started by a British Columbia-based author and is endorsed by Member of Parliament (MP) Charlie Angus from the New Democratic Party (NDP). The document claims that Musk has "used his wealth and power to influence Canadian elections" and has allegedly aligned himself with a foreign government that threatens Canadian sovereignty.

This comes in the wake of Donald Trump’s return to political prominence, where he repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st US state. The former president has also proposed economic tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and other goods, further escalating tensions between the two nations.

Musk, who has previously voiced support for Trump’s hardline immigration policies, has now become a target of public backlash in Canada. His response to the petition was a controversial post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Canada is not a real country." The post was later deleted, but it fueled further outrage among Canadian citizens.

Can Elon Musk’s citizenship be revoked: Know legal aspects

Under Canadian law, citizenship can only be revoked under specific circumstances, primarily if an individual:

• Committed fraud or misrepresented themselves in their citizenship application.
• Knowingly concealed important information that would have affected the decision.

Since Musk acquired his Canadian citizenship through his mother’s birth in Saskatchewan, there is no known legal basis for revoking it under the current framework. Even if the petition reaches its goal, it remains a symbolic gesture with no immediate legal force.

However, under Canada’s parliamentary petition system, any petition with at least 500 signatures and an MP’s sponsorship typically receives a government response. Given that the country may head into a spring election, it remains uncertain whether the petition will be formally addressed.

Political reactions and growing US-Canada tensions

The petition and Musk’s comments have surfaced at a time of increasing geopolitical strain between Canada and the US. Since Trump’s return to the political scene, he has:

• Threatened to impose heavy tariffs on Canadian imports.
• Suggested that Canada should become part of the US, sparking widespread backlash.
• Faced resistance from Canadian leaders, who have vowed to introduce counter-tariffs and protect national sovereignty.

Beyond government disputes, public sentiment has also shifted, with:

• Canadian consumers boycotting US products.
• Hockey and basketball fans booing US national anthems at major sporting events.
• More Canadians reconsidering travel to the US due to diplomatic hostilities.

MP Charlie Angus, who sponsored the petition, has been an outspoken critic of Musk’s growing political and economic influence. However, Angus has also announced that he will not seek re-election, raising questions about the long-term impact of his endorsement.

The BBC has reached out to Angus' office for an official statement, but no response has been issued so far.

Elon Musk’s connection to Canada and his response

Elon Musk’s ties to Canada date back to his early years as a young immigrant. He moved to Canada from South Africa at the age of 18, working odd jobs before enrolling at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Eventually, he immigrated to the United States, where he later became a naturalized US citizen in 2002.

In response to accusations of working illegally in the US on a student visa, Musk has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he did not violate immigration laws. However, his strong political ties with the US—and support for Trump’s policies—have made him a controversial figure in Canada.

In a recent interview, Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, criticized Musk, calling him a “parasitic illegal immigrant”. Musk has dismissed these claims, but the public debate over his citizenship status continues to escalate.