Why Canada can’t strip Elon Musk of Canadian citizenship

An online petition calling on the Canadian government to revoke Elon Musk’s citizenship has gained significant traction, becoming one of the most popular petitions in the history of the House of Commons. However, there is a major obstacle standing in the way – Canadian law does not allow for the revocation of citizenship unless it can be proven that fraud or misrepresentation was committed to obtain it.

According to immigration lawyer Gabriela Ramo, revoking Musk’s citizenship would require legislative changes and amendments to the current Citizenship Act. As Musk was born to a Canadian mother, he holds Canadian citizenship by birthright, making it even more challenging to pursue revocation.

Rémi Larivière, a media relations officer for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, emphasized that the government does not take the revocation of citizenship lightly, and the process involves multiple steps, including a decision by a Federal Court judge.

The petition to revoke Musk’s citizenship was launched by British Columbia author Qualia Reed, citing Musk’s alleged actions against the national interest of Canada. The petition has garnered over 263,000 signatures since its inception, with support from various provinces across the country.

Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa but holds Canadian citizenship through his mother’s Canadian roots, has been increasingly involved in political matters, including supporting Republican campaigns and making donations to conservative candidates. His recent appointment by U.S. President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency has raised concerns among Canadians about his influence on government affairs.

Despite Musk’s ties to Canada and his previous expressions of affinity for the country, his political involvement and controversial statements have sparked backlash and calls for action. While the petition to revoke his citizenship may be symbolic, it has resonated with many Canadians who are unhappy with Musk’s political activities.

In response to the petition, Musk made dismissive remarks about Canada on social media, further fueling the controversy surrounding his citizenship status. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether any concrete action will be taken to address the concerns raised by the petitioners.