Hundreds of thousands of Canadians have signed a petition calling for the revocation of Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship, citing concerns over his alleged influence on national affairs and ties to the Trump administration.
The petition, which launched on February 20, has gathered more than 250,000 signatures and remains open until June 20.
The petition accuses Musk of acting against Canada’s national interest and undermining its sovereignty. It claims the billionaire, who holds both Canadian and US citizenship, has used his wealth and power to interfere in elections and align with a foreign government that threatens Canada’s independence. Musk, who was born in South Africa, obtained Canadian citizenship through his mother, who was born in Saskatchewan.
In response to the petition, Musk wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Canada is not a real country.” The post was later deleted, but it fueled further backlash among Canadians already frustrated with rising tensions between their government and the Trump administration.
Despite its popularity, the petition is largely symbolic and has no legal force. Under Canadian law, citizenship can only be revoked if it was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation. However, petitions with at least 500 signatures and the support of a Member of Parliament typically receive a government response. This one, however, may not, as an anticipated spring election could dissolve Parliament before officials address it.
The petition was created by a British Columbia author and has been endorsed by MP Charlie Angus of the New Democratic Party. Angus, who has served as the representative for Timmins–James Bay for 20 years, has announced he will not seek re-election.
Tensions between the US and Canada have escalated in recent months following former President Donald Trump’s return to power. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada could become the 51st US state and has threatened new tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and other imports. In response, Canadian leaders have vowed to impose counter-tariffs, while public frustration has led to boycotts of American products and hostility at sports events.
Musk, who moved to Canada at 18 and attended Queen’s University in Kingston, later emigrated to the US, where he built his tech empire. While he has publicly supported Trump’s strict immigration policies, he now faces scrutiny over past claims that he worked illegally in the US while on a student visa.
