A growing political storm has erupted in Canada over Elon Musk's association with former U.S. President Donald Trump, culminating in a petition to revoke Musk's Canadian citizenship. The petition, filed in the House of Commons, has gathered more than 157,000 signatures, far surpassing the 500 needed to be considered for a formal government response. This development follows a series of actions by Trump that have threatened Canadian sovereignty, including imposing tariffs on Canadian goods and boasting about annexing the country.
The Economist/YouGov poll indicates that both Elon Musk and his "department of government efficiency," known as Doge, are less popular with the public than many of the government areas they aim to overhaul. Musk's close ties with Trump have raised concerns about his loyalty to Canada, given his role as an adviser in the Trump administration. These concerns are further fueled by Trump's aggressive stance towards Canada since returning to the White House for a second term on January 20.
Musk holds Canadian citizenship through his mother, who hails from Regina, Saskatchewan. However, his involvement with Trump has led many Canadians to question whether his actions align with national interests. The petition accuses Musk of engaging in activities detrimental to Canada, effectively aligning himself with a foreign government seeking to undermine Canadian sovereignty. Reed, the originator of the petition, claims Musk has "engaged in activities that go against the national interest of Canada."
The petition's sponsor, New Democrat parliamentary member Charlie Angus, filed it on February 20. The signing period is set to conclude on June 20. Angus and the petition's supporters argue that Musk's outspoken support for Trump and his policies contradicts his responsibilities as a Canadian citizen. Despite this, Musk remains unyielding in his support for Trump and his initiatives.
In recent months, Musk has been vocal about his allegiance to Trump, even attending conservative gatherings where he made light of his role in the administration. At one such event in Maryland, Musk famously waved a giant chainsaw in the air, underscoring his commitment to Trump's agenda. He has also publicly declared his support for Doge, stating:
"Of course we support Doge! Those who don’t support it are unAmerican." – Elon Musk
These actions have only intensified calls for re-evaluating his Canadian citizenship status. The petition highlights Musk's alignment with Trump as evidence of collusion with a foreign power intent on erasing Canadian sovereignty.
Trump's threats to impose steep tariffs on Canadian products and his rhetoric about annexing Canada have heightened tensions between the two nations. This has prompted many Canadians to view Musk's continued involvement with Trump as a betrayal of his Canadian roots. The issue has become a significant point of contention within Canadian political circles, drawing widespread public attention.
Historically, parliamentary petitions like this one require a minimum of 500 signatures to be presented to Canada's House of Commons and potentially elicit a formal response from the government. The petition against Musk has not only met this threshold but exceeded it by a vast margin. The Canadian Press notes that the overwhelming support for this petition reflects growing public concern over Musk's political alliances and their implications for Canada's national interests.