Could Elon Musk lose his Canadian citizenship over his ties to Trump?

A growing number of Canadians are calling for tech billionaire Elon Musk to be stripped of his Canadian citizenship due to his close ties with United States President Donald Trump.

A parliamentary petition, initiated by British Columbia-based author Qualia Reed, has gained significant traction, surpassing 150,000 signatures.

The petition, first reported by The Canadian Press, argues that Musk’s involvement in Trump’s administration constitutes a threat to Canada’s national interests, as the US president has repeatedly made provocative remarks about Canada’s sovereignty.

Sponsored by New Democrat MP Charlie Angus, a vocal critic of Musk, the petition formally requests Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Musk’s Canadian passport and citizenship immediately.

The move comes in response to Musk’s active support for Trump’s policies, including the administration’s push to cut government spending through the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which has resulted in significant layoffs in multiple US federal departments.

Allegations against Elon Musk

Musk, who was born in South Africa but obtained Canadian citizenship through his Regina-born mother, is accused in the petition of “engaging in activities that go against the national interest of Canada.”

The petition further claims that Musk, in his capacity as an adviser to Trump, has aligned himself with a foreign government that is attempting to undermine Canadian sovereignty.

Trump has frequently suggested annexing Canada, referring to it as a potential 51st US state , while also proposing sweeping tariffs on Canadian products.

These statements have provoked widespread backlash from Canadians, particularly after Trump reiterated his claims just before Canada’s national hockey team defeated the US in a politically charged tournament final on February 20.

The petition alleges that Musk’s close relationship with Trump makes him complicit in these actions.

Musk’s involvement in Canadian politics has also been a point of contention. In recent months, he has used his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to weigh in on Canadian affairs.

He has publicly praised Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre while mocking Trudeau, whom he called an “insufferable tool.” His public endorsements of right-wing political figures in Canada have fuelled further debate over his political motivations.

How the petition process works

Under Canada’s parliamentary petition rules, electronic petitions must gather at least 500 signatures to be officially presented in the House of Commons and considered for a formal government response.

Reed’s petition has far surpassed this requirement, amassing around 157,000 signatures as of late Sunday, with the number continuing to grow.

While parliamentary petitions often serve as a means for citizens to express public concerns, they do not legally bind the government to take action. However, the widespread support for this petition highlights a growing public sentiment against Musk’s influence in Canadian politics.

Canada’s House of Commons is scheduled to resume on March 24, although there is speculation that a general election could be called before MPs return. If an election is called, it could shift the focus away from the petition , but it remains a significant topic in Canadian politics.

The petition’s signing period remains open until June 20, which means it has the potential to gain even more support .

Musk’s response

So far, Musk has not publicly addressed the petition directly. However, he has continued to actively engage with political discourse in both the US and Canada.

At a recent conservative gathering in Maryland, Musk waved a giant chainsaw in the air, appearing to make light of his role in the Trump administration.

Additionally, Musk recently amplified a post on X that read: “Of course we support Doge! Those who don’t support it are unAmerican.”

With inputs from agencies