Elon Musk's Canadian Citizenship Under Fire Amid Petition to Revoke

Image credits: Elon Musk/X

An online petition calling on the Canadian government to revoke Elon Musk's citizenship has gained significant traction, with over 263,000 signatures collected since its launch on February 20. The petition, sponsored by New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, accuses Musk of engaging in activities that go against the national interest of Canada, including using his wealth and power to influence Canadian elections and becoming a member of a foreign government that is attempting to erase Canadian sovereignty. However, according to immigration lawyer Gabriela Ramo, Canada cannot revoke Musk's citizenship as he obtained it through his Canadian-born mother, Maye Musk, and there is no provision in the Citizenship Act that would allow for the revocation of citizenship in this case.

The petition has sparked a heated debate about Musk's involvement in US politics and his perceived threat to Canadian sovereignty. Musk, who was born in South Africa but holds dual Canadian-US citizenship, has been an outspoken supporter of US President Donald Trump and has made significant donations to his re-election campaign. In response to the petition, Musk posted on his social media platform X that "Canada is not a real country," a statement that has been widely criticized. The post has since been deleted, but it has further fueled the controversy surrounding Musk's citizenship. Musk's involvement in US politics has raised concerns about his loyalty to Canada, and his actions have been seen as a threat to Canadian sovereignty.

Despite the petition's symbolic nature, it has highlighted the growing tensions between the US and Canada, particularly since Trump's return to power. The US-Canada relationship has been strained, with Trump suggesting that Canada could become a US state and imposing tariffs on Canadian imports. Canadian leaders have pushed back, vowing counter-tariffs and emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong and independent Canada. The petition has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of foreign influence in Canadian politics and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The timeline of events surrounding the petition is as follows: * February 20: The petition is launched, calling on the Canadian government to revoke Elon Musk's citizenship * February 20-26: The petition collects over 263,000 signatures * February 26: Musk responds to the petition on his social media platform X, stating that "Canada is not a real country" * February 27: The post is deleted, but the controversy surrounding Musk's citizenship continues to grow * March 1: The Canadian government responds to the petition, stating that it is symbolic and has no legal force. However, the government also acknowledges the concerns raised by the petition and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong and independent Canada.

Multiple stakeholders have weighed in on the issue, including: * New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, who sponsored the petition and has called for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process * Immigration lawyer Gabriela Ramo, who has stated that Canada cannot revoke Musk's citizenship due to the circumstances of his birth * US President Donald Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canadian imports and suggested that Canada could become a US state * Canadian leaders, who have pushed back against Trump's actions and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and independent Canada. The key policy points surrounding the issue include: * The need for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process * The importance of maintaining a strong and independent Canada * The role of foreign influence in Canadian politics * The need for a clear and consistent policy on citizenship and immigration.

Statistical data on the petition and its impact includes: * Over 263,000 signatures collected since the petition's launch * The petition is one of the most popular in the history of the House of Commons * The majority of signatures come from Ontario, followed by British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta. The petition has also sparked a significant amount of media coverage and public debate, with many Canadians weighing in on the issue on social media and in online forums.