The Growing Petition

Initiated just five days ago, the petition has quickly attracted over 250,000 signatures from Canadian citizens, with a deadline for further signatures set for June 20. The content of the petition articulates a strong stance against Musk’s actions, stating, “Elon Musk has engaged in activities that go against the national interest of Canada. He has used his wealth and influence to sway our elections and now aligns himself with a foreign government that seeks to undermine Canadian sovereignty. Musk’s interference in our national matters cannot go unaddressed.”

This development comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Canada. In response to the petition, Musk made a controversial remark on social media, claiming, “Canada is not a real country,” although he later deleted the post.

Elon Musk’s Canadian Heritage

The CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, is a Canadian citizen by birth, thanks to his mother’s origins in Saskatchewan, Canada. While Musk was born in South Africa, he holds dual citizenship in both Canada and the United States. At the age of 18, Musk moved from South Africa to Canada, where he juggled various jobs while pursuing studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Eventually, he transitioned to the United States, where his entrepreneurial ventures took flight.

Over the last year, Musk has publicly supported the strict immigration policies of the Trump administration; however, this stance has backfired, placing him under scrutiny. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that Musk worked illegally in the United States while holding a student visa, a claim made notably by Steve Bannon, a former Trump aide, who labeled Musk as a “parasitic illegal immigrant.” Musk has firmly denied these accusations, asserting that he has not engaged in any illegal employment. Reports indicate that he became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. in 2002.

The Future of the Petition

Will this petition lead to any significant change? The likelihood appears minimal as it predominantly serves a symbolic purpose without any legal ramifications. Nevertheless, such petitions gaining over 500 signatures and having the support of a parliamentary member usually receive some form of government attention, although this particular petition may not, especially with parliament’s potential dissolution on the horizon.

The petition was initiated by an individual from British Columbia and has received backing from New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus, who has been serving in Parliament for Timmins–James Bay for two decades but has announced he will not seek re-election.

The Canada-US Rivalry

This petition and the surrounding controversies can be traced back to the economic tensions initiated by former President Donald Trump, who declared a national emergency to impose a 25% tariff on imports from both Mexico and Canada. Additionally, a 10% tax was placed on energy imports, including oil, natural gas, and electricity, which could further strain economic relations.

In retaliation, Canada introduced its own tariffs against American goods, a significant escalation that sparked the onset of a trade war between the two neighboring nations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implemented sweeping tariffs of 25% affecting goods worth CAD 155 billion (approximately $106.6 billion) imported from the United States, targeting products ranging from beer and wine to household appliances and athletic equipment.

However, following urgent discussions among the leaders of the two countries, Trump postponed the implementation of these heavy tariffs for 30 days, leaving Canadians anxious about the potential repercussions once the grace period concludes.

The discord between Canada and the U.S. has seeped into societal behavior, as many Canadians are opting to cancel trips to the United States, boycott American products, and express their discontent during sporting events by booing opposing anthems.